Ricketts Sets Strikeout Record as OU Wins Two

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Oklahoma	0	0	0	0	1	3	1	5	9	1
UNLV	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1

Box Score

Pitching	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
W - Ricketts (1-0)	7.0	3	0	0	0	16
L - Oliveto (0-1)	5.2	8	4	3	5	4
S - None	0.0	-	-	-	-	-

Leaders	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
OU- Turang	4	0	3	0	0	0
UNLV - Valentino	3	0	2	0	0	0

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LAS VEGAS -- Expectations are high in 2012 for the Oklahoma Softball program and if the first day of the season was any indication, those expectations could be justified as the Sooners opened the year with back-to-back shutout wins Friday at the Sportco Kick-Off Classic. A big reason for those expectations is junior pitcher Keilani Ricketts as the All-American added yet another mark on her resume by claiming OU's career strikeouts record in OU's 5-0 win over UNLV. Ranked fifth nationally, OU began the day with a 6-0 win over Cal State Bakersfield to move to 30-12 in season openers.

With the bright lights of the Vegas strip just to the west of Jim Rogers Field, it was Ricketts who shined the brightest as the junior pitcher registered 16 strikeouts in her first pitching action of 2012 to boost her career strikeout total to 814. Ricketts passed the previous record of 805 set by Jill Most from 1994-97. Needing just 94 pitches, Ricketts retired 16 of the 25 batters she faced via strikeout while giving up just three hits. The lefty from San Jose, Calif., set Oklahoma's single-season strikeout record last season with 452 K's on the year.

"Our pitching was outstanding. When our pitchers first came in, they were a little tight but they began to settle down," said OU Head Coach Patty Gasso. "I thought our defense played well and that Jessica Shults was fantastic. This team has been waiting to play for so long I think they got here and got stuck a little and didn't play up to the potential they are capable up. We want them to swing the bat where the whole ball park can feel it. They have to trust their swing and go with it."

Oklahoma got its first run of the night in the top of the fifth after getting to UNLV pitcher Amanda Oliveto with three walks and two hits. Brittany Williams led off with a walk before being replaced on the base path by Callie Parsons who was sent to second on an Ali Vandever sacrifice bunt. After a Lauren Chamberlain walk, fellow freshman Erica Sampson registered a hit that resulted in Parsons being called out for runner interference but Chamberlain reaching second.

On the following at bat, OU's other returning All-American, Jessica Shults laced a double to centerfield that sent Chamberlain to the plate for OU's first run of the night and Sampson to third. Following an intentional walk of Ricketts, OU was unable to add any more runs as Katie Norris grounded out to second.

The Sooners tripled their scoring effort in the top of the sixth with a Chamberlain two-out double that brought in Javen Henson and Williams who reached on a single and a walk, respectively. The next at bat saw Destinee Martinez reach first before a throw over the head of UNLV first baseman Tayler Van Acker sent Martinez to second and Chamberlain around to score OU's third run of the inning and chase Oliveto out of the circle for UNLV.

Despite the 4-0 lead heading into the seventh, Oklahoma's effort at the plate was not done. Pinch hitter Kelley Reeves was hit by a pitch before Brianna Turang singled and sent Reeves to second. .A Henson sacrifice grounder to third advanced both runners up a base before a Williams sacrifice fly to left sent Reeves home to tack on OU's fifth and final run of the day.

In the day's first win over Cal State Bakersfield, OU's second straight season opening win vs. CSUB, Michelle Gascoigne claimed the win for the Sooners with five innings of work in the circle, giving up just one hit and no runs while striking out eight batters and walking three. Senior Kirsten Allen came on in relief in the sixth inning, striking out four of the eight batters she faced while giving up two hits.

Oklahoma got off to a quick start against the Roadrunners as Shults started off her season right with her 35th career home run on her first at bat of 2012. The two-run blast drove in Martinez, who had reached on a bunt to short in the previous at bat.

BTurang took advantage of a CSUB error in the bottom of the second as she reached first on a high throw from the Roadrunner's second baseman. After Turang stole second for her 45th career stolen base, the seventh-best total in OU history, Vandever sent the two-sport athlete to third on a sacrifice bunt. A Williams single through the right side sent Turang home for the Sooners' third run of the game.

Placed at the start of the Sooners' lineup for the opportunity to give the Sooners a quick early lead with her power hitting, Chamberlain did just that in the bottom of the third. Leading off in the inning, the freshman jumped on a 3-2 pitch, sending it deep over the center field fence at Jim Rogers Field for a 4-0 lead.

Oklahoma added its final two runs in the bottom of the fifth as Chamberlain crossed the plate for the second time of the game. After reaching on a walk, Martinez singled to left center to move Chamberlain to second before Shults came inches away from her second home run of the game with a deep single off the center field wall to send Chamberlain around to score and Martinez to second.

Henson came in to pinch run for Ricketts after she reached on a fielder's choice that sent Martinez to third. Henson was caught stealing second but while CSUB was busy taking Henson off the base path, Martinez took off from third base for the Sooners' sixth run of the game.

Oklahoma returns to action Saturday at the Sportco Kick-Off Classic for back-to-back games against Weber State and Kent State.