No. 1 OU Opens Conference Play with Win

Friday, March 24

Ames, Iowa

4 PM CT

University of Oklahoma

28-1, 1-0

Iowa State

11-15, 0-1

Oklahoma

Iowa State

No. 1 OU Opens Conference Play with Win

March 24, 2023 | Softball

Box Score Box: OU 3, ISU 0 Highlights

AMES, Iowa — No. 1 Oklahoma started conference play with a 3-0 win at Iowa State Friday evening in Ames. The Sooners won their 11th consecutive conference opener and moved to 22-5 all-time in Big 12 openers.

Alex Storako twirled a one-hit gem in the circle for the Sooners (28-1, 1-0), only surrendering a two-out single in the second and retiring the final 16 batters she faced. It was Storako's fourth appearance on the season where she gave up one or no hits.

After a scoreless first inning, the Sooners plated a pair in the second including an unconventional final run of the frame.

Junior Alyssa Brito led off the second with a single and two batters later a single from super senior Haley Lee put two in scoring position for Kinzie Hansen. The senior ripped an RBI double off the wall to score Brito to put OU on the board. The next at-bat, on a fielder's choice to Rylie Boone, the second baseman threw home to attempt to get Lee but Lee reverted back to third, causing two runners to stand on third. With the lead runner having the right to the bag (Lee), Hansen was ruled out but Lee trotted home initially thinking she was out but after review was never tagged, resulting in an OU run.

A pitcher's duel ensued between Storako and ISU's Saya Swain, the third Cyclone pitcher of the contest. Following three scoreless innings, Oklahoma plated the final run of the game at the top of the sixth via bases-loaded walk. Lee and Boone were walked followed by a passed ball that allowed both to advance, then sophomore Cydney Sanders took four balls to take first base. After a seven-pitch at-bat, junior Jayda Coleman drew the bases-loaded walk for an RBI and a 3-0 OU final score.

Storako struck out five Cyclones (11-14, 0-1) in the complete-game shutout, OU's nation-leading 18th of the season. The super senior gave up one hit and no walks and moved her record to 11-0 on the year.

Hansen and senior captain Grace Lyons produced multi-hit games with Hansen going 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.

Oklahoma turns around for a doubleheader Saturday in Ames after weather shifted the three-game series to a single game Friday and doubleheader Saturday. First pitch for game two is set for 1 p.m. CT with the third game of the series to begin approximately 30 minutes after.

The games can be seen via Big 12 NOW on ESPN+ and heard on the radio on 107.7 The Franchise in Oklahoma and nationwide on The Varsity app.

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