Ricketts Dominant Again, Sooners Win Big 12 Title

Originally Published: May 16, 2010 3:4 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Another double-digit strikeout performance by Keilani Ricketts helped the Oklahoma Sooners earn a 9-0 six-inning win over the Missouri Tigers Sunday to claim the Big 12 Tournament title.

Ricketts (28-8) pitched a six-inning complete-game shutout, only allowing three hits and striking out 11 Missouri batters.

The Sooners (43-11) offensive onslaught started in the bottom of the first inning. After Amber Flores and Krystle Huey reached base in the first two at-bats, Lindsey Vandever homered to center for a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers’ (46-11) biggest threat came in the top of the second, when two walks allowed Mizzou to load the bases with only one out. Ricketts struck out the next batter she faced, and forced the next batter to ground out to end the threat and the inning.

Oklahoma added two more in the bottom of the fourth on a Jessica Shults two-run single through right. That ended Missouri pitcher Kristin Nottlemann’s (19-7) day, after giving up five earned runs on seven hits.

In the bottom of the sixth, Flores grounded out to second base to bring Huey hom. Three at-bats later, Nix homered to right field to score three and enacted the run rule to end the game.

The Sooners find out where they will be heading for the NCAA Tournament at 9 p.m. Sunday during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.