OU in 1-0 Hole in Super Regional

NORMAN, Okla. -- No. 14 seed DePaul defeated No. 3 seed Oklahoma, 3-0, in the opening game of the Norman Super Regional on Saturday afternoon.

DePaul plated a single run in the sixth inning on a run scoring triple by left fielder Kate Sheaks. Sheaks drove home Amber Patton, who led the inning off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice.

“Offensively we were flat and did not come out attacking like we wanted to," head coach Patty Gasso said. "Our defense was exceptional and tremendous. I felt that Lauren got us out of some big jams and we needed to step up for her offensively and we didn't. It does not take the wind out of our sails. One thing this team is good at is responding and coming back and this is going to be a great challenge for them and we have the right people to lead them tomorrow so we actually look forward to getting back out on the field tomorrow.”

OU ace Lauren Eckermann (27-4) appeared to be battling out of another self induced jam. She worked ahead in the count on Sheaks before giving up the triple on a 3-2 pitch. Eckermann allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in four innings.

DePaul added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh when Sandy Vojik drove a 0-1 pitch over the left field fence. The two run home run was the 12th of the season for the Blue Demon leadoff hitter.

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In the circle DePaul ace Tracie Adix (20-2) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out three batters. She improved to 20-2 on the season and extended DePaul's scoreless innings streak to 27.

DePaul is yet to allow a run in NCAA postseason play.

The Sooners threatened in the bottom of the third as Traci Dickenson recorded a two-out single and Norrelle Dickson followed with a double, putting two runners in scoring position for Mariee Mena. Mena's dribbler to the pitcher was bobbled by Adix, before she recorded the ground out on a bang-bang play at first.

For the Blue Demons, it marked the first time during NCAA postseason action that a opposing runner had reached third base.

Dickson was credited with OU's third hit on a one-out bunt single in the sixth inning. She was thrown out trying to steal second two pitches later.

The Sooners will have to win two games on Sunday to advance to the Women's College World Series. OU and DePaul will play Game 2 at Noon CDT. Game 3 would be played at 2 p.m. CDT.

“Not one time this season has anyone beaten us twice and I think it is pride and the respect they have for each other the trust they have in each other," Gasso said. "They work so hard for it and they won't be denied. So I look forward to seeing that I think this team has grown so much and I look forward to seeing more growth tomorrow.”

All of the Norman Super Regional games will air live on ESPN with Pam Ward on play-by-play and Karen John providing color commentary.

Reserved and general admission tickets for Sunday's games are sold out. However, standing-room-only tickets will be sold at the front gate on Sunday. Those tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth.

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