Late Surge Gives OU Softball Third Straight Win

OU did not record a hit in the first three innings, but turned things around after that to beat Auburn 6-0.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:15 pm

By: News On 6

Late Surge Gives OU Softball Third Straight Win

Originally Published: Mar 4, 2011 9:37 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma softball team started slow, but turned things on in the final innings Friday in a 6-0 win over Auburn.

Both starting pitchers began the game strong, with both teams remaining scoreless after three innings. The Sooners also did not record a hit in that time, but that changed in the fourth.

Jessica Shults recorded OU’s first hit, a double that also drove in the game’s first run. Shults advanced to third on the throw home, which allowed her to score on a ground ball two at-bats later to give the Sooners a 2-0 lead after only one hit.

The Sooners were handed an unearned run in the fifth, and then put up three runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Dani Dobbs drove home two runs with a double, and later scored on a wild pitch to finish the scoring.

Meanwhile, OU pitcher Keilani Ricketts was nearly unhittable. Auburn’s best scoring chance came in the first inning, when a walk and error gave the Tigers runners at second and third with nobody out. Ricketts responded by striking out three consecutive batters, and it was smooth sailing from there.

Ricketts did not allow another runner past second base for the rest of the night and earned the win after holding Auburn scoreless on just three hits.

OU now has recovered from a four-game losing streak with three consecutive wins, including shutouts in each of the last two games.

The Sooners will take part in two games Saturday as part of The Preview in Oklahoma City, starting against Illinois-Chicago at 11:30 a.m. and ending against Oklahoma State in the first Bedlam game of the year at 6:00 p.m.