College Softball News

Sooners Win Second Straight Via Run-Rule

(Photo Courtesy of Oklahoma Athletics)

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – No. 18/13 Oklahoma (8-4) posted its second run-rule win of the day with an 11-3, six-inning win over Oregon State (3-10) at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Thursday evening in Palm Springs, Calif. The win came on the heels of a 9-1, five-inning victory over Boise State earlier in the day.

A pair of four-run innings guided the Sooners to their fourth run-rule win of the season and their 10th straight victory in the series against the Beavers.

The first four-run frame came in the bottom of the first.

With one out, senior Destinee Martinez reached on a single to first base. It was the first of four hits on the day for Martinez, tying a career high set against Northwestern on Feb. 11, 2011. Junior Lauren Chamberlain followed with a walk, while a single to left center by fellow junior Shelby Pendley filled the bases.

Senior Brittany Williams walked on five pitches to bring in the game’s first run before sophomore Erin Miller’s two-run single extended the lead to 3-0. Two batters later, sophomore Whitney Ellis walked to fill the bases back up. An error on a grounder hit by senior Javen Henson resulted in OU’s fourth run of the inning.

Oklahoma added another run in the second inning when Martinez singled, stole second and came around to score on Pendley’s double to right center.

Oregon State got back into the game in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on three separate wild pitches from OU pitchers.

However, Oklahoma fought back with a four-run fifth.

With two on and one out, junior Georgia Casey grounded a ball to OSU shortstop CJ Chirichigno, who bobbled it and then threw wide of first base. Junior Callie Parsons scored on the play, while Ellis moved up to third and Casey took second thanks to the errors.

Martinez collected her fourth hit on an RBI single to push the OU lead to 7-3, while two batters later Pendley drove in two runs on her second double of the day. Pendley was 3-4 on the day with three RBI and a pair of doubles. She now has five doubles over her last three games.

Leading 9-3, Oklahoma closed things out in the bottom of the sixth.

Freshman Macey Hatfield pinch hit and drew a walk before Erin Miller re-entered to run at first base. Pinch-hitter Leslie Miller then drew a four-pitch walk and had Parsons come back into the game. After back-to-back outs, Casey ended the game when she lined a double to right center.

Casey started in the circle and pitched the first 3.1 innings but left with a no decision after allowing two hits and three runs. She struck out one and walked two before sophomore Taylor Dewbery came on and recorded two outs in relief.

Sophomore Kelsey Stevens ended up with the win as she threw the final 2.0 innings and struck out two with one walk but did not allow a hit or a run to OSU.

Oklahoma returns to action at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Friday with a pair of games. After taking on Northwestern at 5:30 p.m. CT, the Sooners face No. 8/9 UCLA at 8 p.m. CT.

To Top