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May 16, 2008

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Oklahoma 6, Oregon 0   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E  Oregon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  Oklahoma 2 0 0 0 4 0 x 6 12 1  Pitching IP H R ER BB SO  W - Mathis (28-5) 7 3 0 0 2 6  L - Cook (16-13)   4.1 10 6 6 1 2  Batting Leaders AB R H RBI BB TB  OU - Vandever 3 0 3 2 0 3  OU - Flores 3 1 2 0 1 3 Sooner Softball Central Main Page | Ticket Information | Webcasts 2008 OU Softball Media Guide | 2008 Game Notes Oklahoma Season Statistics | Big 12 Conference | NCAA

NORMAN, Okla. -- The 10th-seeded Oklahoma softball team (44-12) opened NCAA Tournament play on a strong note as the Sooners blanked Oregon, 6-0, in the Friday nightcap of the Norman Regional in front of 1,176 fans at the OU Softball Complex.   The Sooners will now face Arkansas, who beat Tulsa 7-5 in the first game, at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. 

"It seemed like we were forever waiting for this game, the days were really long. After losing in the Big 12 tournament, we wanted to get back on the field," head coach Patty Gasso said.  "We had some really good practices preparing for this weekend and I thought we came out attacking. I thought Amber (Flores) had a great presence at the plate and set the tone for all of her at bats. D.J. (Mathis) was her usual self and set the tone for us off the mound. I love the way we swung the bats."

The Sooners were clicking on all cylinders as the offense combined for 12 hits while OU starter D.J. Mathis held the Ducks to only three hits.

Mathis, a first team All-Big 12 and all-region selection, pushed her record to 28-5 as she notched her 13th shutout of the season.  The lefty struck out six and walked two in the complete seven-inning contest.  Mathis gave up her first hit of the game in the second and didn't allow another Oregon hit until the seventh when she gave up back-to-back singles by the Ducks.  However, the Oklahoma defense stepped up as Mathis finished the game and earned the shutout.

Offensively, catcher Lindsey Vandever led the way with a 3-for-3 performance with two RBI while Samantha Ricketts also added a two-RBI performance.  The top three hitters in the lineup (Amber Flores, Krystle Huey, Susan Ogden) also notched two hits each.

Oklahoma wasted no time getting on the board as the Sooners loaded the bases in the bottom of the first with three straight singles by Flores, Huey and Ogden.  Next, Ricketts' fielder's choice scored Flores as Ogden was out on the force at second.  Next, Vandever's RBI single plated Huey as OU took the early 2-0 lead after the first.

The Sooners weren't able to plate any more runs until the fifth when OU exploded with a four-run inning.  Flores once again sparked the rally as she led off the frame with a walk on a 10-pitch at bat.  Following an Ogden single, the Sooners had runners at first and second as Ricketts singled to add her second RBI of the night.  With Vandever at the plate, Oregon pitcher Alicia Cook threw a wild pitch to plate another OU run.  Next, Vandever delivered an RBI single to extend the Sooner lead to 5-0.  Freshman Wendy Trott recorded OU's final run of the game with her RBI double down the right field line as OU led 6-0.

The Ducks never threatened until the seventh when they led off with back-to-back singles.  However, Mathis retired the next batter and struck out the final two batters of the game to earn the win.

Oregon's Cook took the loss as she threw 4.1 innings while allowing six earned runs on 10 hits and striking out two.

Regional Notes:  The Sooners are a perfect 16-0 at the OU Softball Complex in NCAA regional action (does not include Super Regionals) ... Oklahoma lost to Oregon earlier this season, 1-0 .... The Sooners will be the visiting team against Arkansas on Saturday and will occupy the first base dugout.