No. 5 OU Claims Courtyard Marriott Tourney Crown

Sunday, March 1

Norman

12 PM

University of Oklahoma

15-4

Northwestern

8-11

Oklahoma

Northwestern

No. 5 OU Claims Courtyard Marriott Tourney Crown

March 01, 2020 | Softball

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By: Patrick Dunn

NORMAN – The No. 5/5 Oklahoma softball team defeated Northwestern 5-1 Sunday in the Courtyard Marriott Tournament championship game at Marita Hynes Field.

The Sooners (15-4) closed the home-opening weekend 4-1 with two victories over Northwestern in addition to wins against Abilene Christian and North Texas. OU dropped its lone contest of the tournament by one run Saturday in its first game against UNT, 4-3.

"Really proud of this team this weekend," said OU head coach Patty Gasso. "We are depleted through the lineup and some of these freshmen are really clutching up when we need them to.

"Pitchers are throwing a ton. Shannon Saile has thrown a tremendous amount of innings. Today was her best day, no doubt, just really calm, very much in control, much better job being ahead of hitters. We've got a lot of work to do and this team is ready to do it. So, we're just going to get back on the field and get a lot of things figured out."

Sunday's game was a tale of two innings and an impressive complete game, 10-strikeout performance from senior pitcher Shannon Saile.

Northwestern (8-11) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the second inning before OU put things together in the fifth inning, scoring five runs on five hits.

With junior Jocelyn Alo on second and freshman Kinzie Hansen on first courtesy of a walk and fielder's choice, sophomore Grace Green hit a laser to center to score Alo and tie the game at one.

After making her 2020 debut as a pinch hitter on Friday following knee surgery in the fall, senior Nicole Mendes stepped to the plate to pinch hit after Green. The co-captain drilled an infield RBI single to plate Hansen and put the Sooners on top.

It didn't stop there for OU in the fifth. Green advanced home on a stolen base by pinch runner Alycia Flores prior to freshman Raylee Pogue batting in Flores and pinch hitter Kinsey Koeltzow bringing in Eliyah Flores. The fifth inning run barrage resulted in a 5-1 OU lead that would end as the final.

Lyons led OU at the dish, going 3-for-4 for her second three-hit game of the season. Saile went all seven innings in the circle, allowing just one run on five hits and one walk to go with 10 K's. The 10 strikeouts tied her OU career high.

The Sooners turnaround for a mid-week matchup against Wichita State (8-12) at home this Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be available on FOX Sports Oklahoma+ and on the radio via The Franchise 2 in Oklahoma (1560 AM, 103.3 FM).

Tickets for Wednesday's game against the Shockers are still available and can be purchased online at Soonersports.com/tickets or by phone at (800) 456-GoOU.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.