OU Softball Sweeps Conference Honors

The Oklahoma softball team has swept the weekly Big 12 conference honors for the third time this season, the conference announced Tuesday.

Senior Brianna Turang was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the first time in her career, while fellow senior Keilani Ricketts was chosen as Big 12 Pitcher of the Week for the fourth time this season and 15th time in her career.

Turang was instrumental in No. 1 Oklahoma taking two of three games at No. 6 Texas last weekend. The outfielder was 6-9 in the series, part of the bottom of the lineup that was 14-28 (.500) over the weekend.

In Friday's 6-1 win, Turang hit a chopper back up the middle that deflected off the pitcher's glove and drove in the game's first run in the second inning. Later, in the fifth, Turang again hit a chopped infield single to drive in a run. Turang also added a walk and stolen base in the win.

After going 1-2 in Saturday's 4-2 loss, Turang answered back on Sunday with a season-high three hits to help give OU the 5-3 win and control of their own destiny in the Big 12 title race. She singled to lead off both the second and fourth innings, and then delivered a big two-run double to the gap in left center to give OU a 4-1 lead. It ended up being the game-winning hit.

Ricketts, who set a school record with her 174th career appearance in the circle during Friday's 6-1 win, twirled a gem as she improved to 21-1 on the year. Ricketts struck out a season-high 15 batters and allowed just one run while giving up six hits and two walks. At one point between the third and sixth innings, she retired 11 of 12 batters she faced.

In the finale, Ricketts pitched 6.1 innings to earn the win. She struck out six, walked none and allowed three runs on five hits before yielding to fellow senior Michelle Gascoigne who registered the save.

Oklahoma has had four different players earn Player of the Week accolades this season with Lauren Chamberlain winning Feb. 12 and March 1, Jessica Vest on April 2 and Shelby Pendley last week on April 16. In addition to Ricketts, Michelle Gascoigne has been honored as Pitcher of the Week once.