Softball Shuts Out Kansas for Sweep

March 22, 2008

Oklahoma 8, Opponent 0 (6 Innings)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Kansas	0	0	0	0	0	0	x	0	4	0
Oklahoma	0	2	0	4	0	2	x	8	11	0

Pitching	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
W - Eckermann (8-3)	6	4	0	0	2	3
L - Vertelka (7-4)	2	3	2	2	1	0

Batting Leaders	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	TB
OU - Long	3	2	3	1	0	6
OU - Anderson	3	2	2	2	0	5

Sooner Softball Central

2008 OU Softball Media Guide

NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 11 Oklahoma softball team recorded a sweep of Kansas Saturday as it shut out and run ruled the Jayhawks, 8-0, in six innings on Saturday's series finale. The Sooners topped Kansas on Friday, 3-2, in the first game of the series.

"Every phase of our game was solid this weekend with our pitching, defense and hitting," head coach Patty Gasso said. "This team responded to a week full of challenges and I'm extremely proud of our effort this entire weekend. We have really started getting it together at the right time."

Freshman Haley Anderson was the offensive leader for the Sooners as the rookie had a career outing in only her seventh start of the season. The Edmond, Okla., native went 2-for-3 with two RBI, including her first career home run in an OU uniform.

For the second straight game, Susan Ogden ended the game as her two-run double in the bottom of the sixth ended the game in a run rule. Ogden recorded a walk-off single in OU `s game Friday night.

In addition to Anderson and Ogden's efforts, Savannah Long (3-for-3) and Jessica Legendre (2-for-2) highlighted the offense as Long pounded a solo home run, her seventh of the day.

Senior pitcher Lauren Eckermann recorded the complete-game shutout as she only surrendered four hits and didn't allow a single run. Eckermann improved to 8-3 after striking out three and walking two.

Kansas pitcher Sarah Vertelka fell to 7-4 after throwing the first two innings and giving up two earned runs on three hits.

Anderson picked the Sooners up in the bottom of the second as OU used a two-out rally to take the first lead of the game. With two outs, Legendre was hit by a pitch and Anderson stepped to the plate. The freshman ripped a single to left as OU had runners at the corners. Next, Amber Flores, pounded a two-RBI single to right field as OU took the 2-0 lead. Traci Dickenson flew out to right field to end the inning.

As the Sooners entered the bottom of the third, Kansas changed pitchers as Val George replaced Vertelka in the circle. Ricketts opened the frame with a leadoff walk and was replaced by pinch runner Iver McDonald. Next, Ogden popped up to the shortstop and Lindsey Vandever stepped to the plate. However, McDonald was caught stealing and Vandever ending the inning with a groundout to the third baseman.

It was Anderson again in the fourth as the rookie pounded a one-out two-run homer to left field that scored Jessica Legendre, who had reached on a single. It marked Anderson's first career home run in a Sooner uniform. An out later, Long pounded a solo home run to left field that pushed the Sooner lead to 5-0. Traci Dickenson followed that with a walk and Ricketts continued the OU rally as she pounded an RBI triple to left center, her second of the season, that extended the Sooner advantage to 6-0. Following the Ricketts' triple, George was replaced in the circle by Allie Clark, who retired the first batter she faced to end the inning.

Entering the series against Kansas, George had not given up a home run this season, but gave up two in Saturday's game and one in Friday night's game.

Oklahoma loaded the bases with one out in the sixth after consecutive singles by Long and Dickenson and an intentional walk for Ricketts. With the bases loaded and one out, Ogden stepped to the plate. The senior pounded the two-RBI double off the left center wall to end the game in an 8-0 run rule.

Next, Oklahoma will take a break from regular season play next Tuesday as they will play an exhibition game against Team USA at ASA Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. The game will start at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are still available.

Individual tickets for the game can be purchased for as little as $10 for general admission seats. The four-game college pack in March can be reserved for only $35 by calling 1-800-654-8337 or visiting softballoutlet.com and clicking on the Bound 4 Beijing link. Discounted group tickets of 10 or more are available for corporate outings, softball clubs and or church/civic fundraisers by calling 1-800-654-8337.

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