Softball Sweeps Weekly Big 12 Awards

NORMAN -- Freshman Sydney Romero was named the Big 12 Player of the Week for the first time in her career and sophomore Paige Parker was tabbed the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week for the fifth time this season as OU swept the weekly conference awards for the first time this year.

The weekly sweep comes a day after OU won all five major season awards from the Big 12 Tuesday.

Romero was the driving offensive force as No. 5 Oklahoma went 2-0 against Oklahoma State to end the regular season on a 22-game winning streak. Romero was 3-6 on the weekend with a home run, four runs batted in, a slugging percentage of 1.000 and on-base percentage of .571.

Parker did not allow a single run over the weekend. She gave up just two hits in 7.1 scoreless innings while striking out seven and walking just two.

Parker now has five Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors this season, previously winning last week, on April 12, March 15 and Feb. 23. It was also the 12th such honor of her career, tying former Missouri pitcher Chelsea Thomas for fourth place in league history. Only Texas' Cat Osterman (25), Oklahoma's Keilani Ricketts (16) and Texas' Blaire Luna (13) have more.

Romero had the big hit in a five-run first inning Friday night at Oklahoma State as OU won 8-0 in five innings. She connected on a three-run homer in the first inning, setting a career high for RBI in a game. She also added a single in the second inning.

Parker needed just 72 pitches to notch her 12th shutout of the season and her sixth in 11 conference starts in the win. She struck out seven and gave up just two hits with one walk.

In a 5-2 win Saturday, Romero was 1-2 with an RBI, walk and stolen base. She recorded an RBI groundout in the first inning then singled and stole second in the third. Romero also drew a walk in the fifth inning.

Parker also earned the win in relief. She got the final out of the fifth and then proceeded to close out the final two innings. She allowed one batter to reach on a walk, but did not give up a run or hit. She earned the win for an 18th straight appearance and is now 28-3 on the season.

The No. 3 seed in the 2016 NCAA Division I Softball Championship, Oklahoma hosts the Norman Regional this weekend as Wichita State, Tulsa and Ole Miss visit Marita Hynes Field.

Players Mentioned

Paige Parker

Sydney Romero

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics