Ricketts Throws No Hitter Versus China

July 18, 2012

WHITEHORSE, YUKON, Canada -- Pitching for the USA Softball National Team, Oklahoma's Keilani Ricketts was close to perfect in a 13-0 four-inning run-rule USA win over China at the ISF XIII Women's World Fastpitch Championship Wednesday. The game was the first of two wins for the United States team that later defeated Netherlands, 4-0, in a game which saw the U.S. score three runs in the sixth to seal the win.

With its two wins Wednesday, USA improved to 6-0 in the tournament and has outscored its opponents 64-0.

Ricketts did not allow a batter to reach first base via a walk or a hit in the day's first win, but four Chinese batters did reach first on two American errors and two pitches that hit batters. After not allowing a run in the top of the first inning, Ricketts saw her national teammates post three runs on the board before scoring five each in the bottom of the second and the third.

The win was Ricketts' second of the event as the lefthander has only allowed one hit and no runs in 11 innings of action while striking out 10 opposing batters.

The U.S. team returns to action on Thursday as they face Argentina in the final day of preliminary action.