Softball Downs Indiana, UAPB in Shutouts

March 12, 2011

Oklahoma 9, Indiana 0
Box Score: PDF | HTML |

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Indiana	0	0	0	0	0	x	x	0	1	2
Oklahoma	0	2	1	6	x	x	x	9	10	0

Pitching	IP	H	R	E	BB	SO
W - Ricketts (10-2)	5.0	1	0	0	0	10
L - Melloh (8-10)	2.0	3	2	2	3	2

Batting Leaders	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	EB
OU - Ricketts	2	2	2	1	1	1
OU - Dobbs	3	0	2	2	0	1

Oklahoma 15, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0
Box Score: PDF | HTML

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Oklahoma	3	1	2	2	7	x	x	15	15	1
UAPB	0	0	0	0	0	x	x	0	1	1

Pitching	IP	H	R	E	BB	SO
W - K. Allen (3-0)	2.0	0	0	0	1	1
L - Leight (0-2)	3.2	8	8	6	4	2

Batting Leaders	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	EB
OU - Martinez	4	2	3	0	0	1
OU - Nix	2	3	2	3	2	2

NORMAN, Okla. - The 10th-ranked University of Oklahoma softball team shutout both its opponents on the opening day of the Oklahoma Spring Festival Saturday afternoon. Keilani Ricketts threw a one-hit shutout, her fifth consecutive shutout start, as the Sooners (20-5) downed Indiana 9-0 in five innings in the first game. OU plated seven runs in the fifth inning of the second game en route to defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff 15-0 in the nightcap.

After a scoreless first inning, the Sooners scored the first two runs in the second inning. Ricketts led off the inning with her fourth home run of the year to straightaway center. Brianna Turang reached after being hit by a pitch and runner Javen Henson advanced to second on a single from Dani Dobbs. Turang re-entered to run and moved to third as Destinee Martinez loaded the bases by drawing a walk. Brittany Williams then walked to bring in Turang as OU led 2-0 after the second inning.

OU added a single run in the third as pinch runner Haley McGregor scored on a Dobbs double to left center, pushing OU in front 3-0.

Oklahoma packed it on in the fourth, scoring six runs on six hits and getting the aid of two Indiana errors. Chana'e Jones got a leadoff double and scored on a Williams single. A fielder's choice gave the Sooners two runners aboard and Williams scored on a Nix single down the left field line. Ricketts singled through the left side to give OU runners at the corners with one out.

An Indiana miscue plated another run and a groundout pushed across another run before Martinez's single up the middle brought home OU's final run of the inning.

Ricketts ended the game 2-for-2 with two runs scored and one walk. Turang scored two runs, going 1-for-2 at the plate. Dobbs also had multiple hits, finishing the day 2-for-3 with two runs driven in. Eight of OU's nine offensive starters collected hits and six players were responsible for OU's eight RBI on the day.

Ricketts threw her fifth straight complete game shutout and faced one batter over the minimum, allowing a leadoff single in the top of the fifth. She struck out 10 and threw just 63 pitches on the afternoon.

Indiana starter Morgan Melloh picked up the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits and three walks and two strikeouts.

Oklahoma 15, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0
All nine offensive starters reached base and eight of them scored as OU routed Arkansas-Pine Bluff 15-0 in five innings in the nightcap. Martinez went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Nix drove in three runs, going 2-for-2 with a double and home run. Nix scored three runs and also drew two walks. Jones finished the night 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Kirsten Allen picked up the win in relief. She pitched the final 2.0 innings, walking just one and striking out one. Allee Allen pitched 0.2 innings, allowing UAPB's only hit.

Heather Leigh went 3.2 innings, picking up the loss for the Lady Lions. Leigh allowed eight runs, six of them earned, on eight hits and four walks.

Oklahoma closes out action Sunday at 12:15 p.m. against Missouri State and a contest at 2:30 p.m. CT.