Ricketts Picks up Second Win in Canada

July 6, 2012

SURREY, British Columbia, Canada — Oklahoma pitcher Keilani Ricketts picked up her second win as she and OU teammate Jessica Shults, along with the rest of the USA Softball National Team, picked up three wins at the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship in Surrey, B.C.

The American squad won back-to-back five-inning run-rule games late Thursday evening over Puerto Rico, 8-0, and Australia, 7-0. Neither Sooner played in the night's first game against Puerto Rico before Ricketts picked up a complete-game win over the Aussies in the nightcap. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year threw five innings of shutout action, giving up just two hits while striking out four and walking one.

Friday's game saw the U.S. pick up its third straight run-rule victory as it defeated New Zealand, 7-0, in five innings. Shults started the game behind the plate and caught Jackie Traina's no hitter for the U.S. Shults had three appearances at the plate, reaching first on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third before eventually being stranded on base.

The American team returns to action on Saturday as it faces Canada and Japan in back-to-back games.