Sooners Blast Iona in First Game of Norman Regional

Ace Keilani Ricketts did work from the circle and with her bat Friday in the big win.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:25 pm

By: News On 6

Sooners Blast Iona in First Game of Norman Regional

Originally Published: May 20, 2011 10:40 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma grabbed a tournament-opening win in blowout fashion thanks to a dominant performance from star pitcher Keilani Ricketts Friday, dropping the Iona Gales 7-1.

The sophomore left-handed pitcher struck out 19 of the 30 batters she faced, while pitching a complete-game, allowing just one earned run. The one run she gave up came in the top of the third inning, due to some control issues.

After giving up a leadoff walk to Chelsea Seehan, the runner advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single in the next at-bat.

Sarah Jackson was credited with a loss for the outing, giving up seven earned runs on 15 hits in six innings of service.

Ricketts wasn’t just dynamic from the bump Friday; she was dominant from the plate as well. Batting fourth, she drove in the game’s first run via a bases-loaded single in the first, and knocked a two-run double in the sixth to give the Sooners a 6-1 advantage.

Oklahoma will face in-state rival Tulsa at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Winner’s Bracket of the Norman Regional.