Shults, USA Team Run Rule Canada

June 23, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The USA Softball National Team, that includes Oklahoma's Keilani Ricketts and Jessica Shults on its roster, opened its season Saturday with a 9-1 run-rule win over Canada in Oklahoma City. While Ricketts missed the game traveling back from Los Angeles where she was a finalist for the Honda Cup as the nation's top collegiate female athlete, Shults crossed the plate as the American's victory-sealing run.

Shults entered the game as a defensive substitution behind the plate at catcher in the top of the fourth inning, catching for Missouri pitcher Chelsea Thomas and the U.S. up 6-1.

The 2012 first team All-American saw her first appearance at the plate come in the bottom of the fifth inning as she reached first on a walk off four straight balls from the Canadian pitcher. A Michelle Moultrie bunt sent Shults to second before Christie Orgeron belted a triple to right field to send Shults around to score and claim the U.S. win.

Ricketts, Shults and the rest of Team USA return to action in Oklahoma City at the World Cup of Softball next week as they open Thursday night at 6 p.m. against Puerto Rico.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors