Arkansas Snaps Softball's Win Streak

April 7, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The No. 11 Oklahoma softball team put two runs on the board in the top of the sixth, but it wasn't enough as Arkansas snapped OU's seven-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory over the Sooners in the first game of a Monday doubleheader at Lady'Back Field in Fayetteville, Ark. It marked the first ever win for Arkansas against Oklahoma in the series history.

Oklahoma (32-9) and Arkansas (29-17) started the second game of the twin bill at approximately 6:45 p.m.

The Sooners out hit the Lady' Backs, 6-3, but couldn't come away with the victory as OU stranded six base runners in the game.

Junior pitcher D.J. Mathis took the loss and fell to 20-4 on the season. The lefty threw the first four innings and allowed three earned runs on three hits while walking three and striking out six.

The Oklahoma offense tallied four of its six hits in the final two innings and scored two runs in the sixth, but couldn't keep the rally alive.

Amber Flores led the offense with a 2-for-3 outing while Samantha Ricketts put OU's only two runs on the board with her two-run homer in the sixth.

Arkansas was the first to get on the board as Kayla Johnson recorded a one-out double in the bottom of the second. The next batter was hit by a pitch as Arkansas had runners at first and second with one out. Next, Sandra Smith singled up the middle to score Johnson and give Arkansas the early 1-0 lead after the first frame.

The Lady' Backs added another in the fourth as Miranda Dixon led off the bottom of the frame and was hit by a pitch. Next, Dayna Huckabee roped an RBI triple down the right field line that scored another Arkansas run. Next, Samantha Buckner was hit by a pitch as Arkansas had runners at the corners with no outs and the 2-0 lead. The Lady' Backs weren't done as Brittany Robison's fielder's choice got the out at second, but scored another run as Arkansas held the 3-0 advantage. However, OU catcher Lindsey Vandever recorded the next out as she picked the runner off at first and Arkansas had no runners on base and two outs. However, the next two batters walked to keep the Arkansas rally alive, but Mathis struck out the next batter to end the frame.

The Sooners had an opportunity in the top of the fifth as Wendy Trott recorded a one-out single and was replaced by pinch runner Iver McDonald, who stole second on the next play. The Sooners had one out and a runner at second, but the next two batters were retired as OU ended the inning without scoring any runs.

Heading into the bottom of the fifth, OU pitcher Jadyn Smith replaced starter Mathis in the circle. The senior was solid as she retired all three Arkansas batters. Flores recorded her second hit of the day in the top of the sixth as she led off the frame with a single to second. Next, Long fouled out to left field and Flores moved to second on Ogden's ground out to the pitcher. However, Ricketts stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run homer over the right center field fence. Ricketts' ninth homer of the season cut the Lady'Back lead to 3-2. Next, Traci Dickenson kept the rally alive as she recorded a single to right field as Lindsey Vandever stepped to the plate, but struck out to end the inning as OU trailed 3-2.

Smith was solid again in the bottom of the sixth as she retired all three batters, giving the Sooners one last chance in the top of the seventh.

Jessica Legendre gave the Sooners a base runner in the top of the seventh as she notched a one-out single to left and was replaced by pinch runner Dani Dobbs. Freshman Haley Anderson walked as Flores came up to bat. The left fielder flew out to center field for the second out of the frame with no runners advancing. Long stepped to the plate and was hit by a pitch on a 0-2 count, but wasn't given the base as the umpire said she did not make an effort to get out of the way. Long couldn't keep the rally alive as she struck out to end the game.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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