OU Run Rules UNT, 9-0

March 1, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - The No. 9 Oklahoma softball team got off to a hot start in the OU Residence Inn Invitational Saturday afternoon as the Sooners run ruled North Texas, 9-0, five innings at the OU Softball Complex.

The Sooners will continue their Saturday doubleheader as they began a game against Memphis at approximately 4:45 p.m.

OU starter D.J. Mathis earned the win and improved to 10-1 after throwing the first three innings and not allowing any hits or runs while striking out three. Reliever Jadyn Smith came in for relief of Mathis in the final two innings and didn't allow a run while scattering three hits and striking out two.

Offensively, Amber Flores and Samantha Ricketts highlighted the day with home runs as Flores pounded the second grand slam of her career and Ricketts pounded a three-run homer. Both Ricketts and Flores finished with four RBI each.

The Sooners wasted no time getting on the board as Haley Anderson led off the bottom of the first and was hit by a pitch. An out later, the Sooners had runners at first and second after Flores reached on a fielder's choice. Next, cleanup batter Ricketts ripped an RBI single to right field to give the Sooners the early 1-0 lead. OU wasn't able to add any more runs as a double play ended the first.

Oklahoma took control in the bottom of the second as Lindsey Vandever led off with a walk and an out later, Wendy Trott singled to centerfield to place runners at the corners. Jessica Legendre's fielder's choice loaded the bases with one out as Anderson stepped to the plate. The rookie roped an RBI single that scored Vandever, but Trott overran third base and was out on the play. Long was hit by a pitch following that to load the bases again as Flores stepped to the plate. The sophomore pounded her second grand slam of the season over the right field fence to give OU the 6-0 lead after two frames.

Ricketts added more to the board in the fourth with her three-run homer to right field with two outs to give OU the commanding 9-0 lead. It marked the junior's first home run of the season.

North Texas starter Jennifer Smith was replaced by UNT pitcher Kayla Lawson following the Ricketts home run. Smith gave up nine runs on six hits in 3.2 innings of work.
OU's Smith didn't allow a run in the top of the fifth as the Sooners ended the game with a run-rule.

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