OU Softball Tunes Up with 8-3 Win

The Sooners racked up double-digits hits against Central Arkansas.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:18 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Mar 29, 2011 8:19 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

NORMAN, Okla. – The 15th-ranked Sooners took care of business during a mid-week matchup against the Central Arkansas Bears, picking up an 8-3 victory on Tuesday.

Keilani Ricketts was dominant in relief duty for OU, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up no hits and striking out five.

Michelle Gascoigne started the game in the circle for Oklahoma but gave up three runs on five hits in 3.2 innings.

OU was down 2-0 early, but responded in the bottom of the third. A single from Brianna Turang and a double from Haley Nix brought home three runs to give the Sooners the lead.

After UCA (12-20) tied it up in the top of the next inning, the Sooners responded yet again. Brittany Williams reached on a double and Katie Norris picked up her second home run of the year to bring her home for a 5-3 lead.

Ali Vandever got her first homer of the year in the sixth, a three-run shot to give OU its final 8-3 margin.

Kelsie Armstrong got the loss for UCA, giving up all eight runs on 10 hits.

The Sooners (28-9) will return to conference play this weekend when they hit the road to take on Texas Tech. The first game of the series will start Friday evening at 6:30.