Oklahoma Softball Earns Fifth Win

The Oklahoma Sooners grabbed yet another win thanks to the arm of pitcher Keilani Ricketts Sunday, knocking off the Kent State Golden Flashes 11-1, improving to 5-0 for the season.

The junior ace from San Jose, Calif. pitched six innings for the Sooners, giving up one hit and one earned run, a sacrifice fly by Shannon Laughlin in the bottom of the first, while striking out eight batters in the win.

Emma Johnson came away with a loss for the outing, giving up six earned runs on eight hits for the Flashes.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth, the Sooners capitalized on a miscue from Kent State to crack the scoreboard. Javen Henson reached first and advanced to second via a fielding error and scored in the next at-bat via an RBI single from Allee Allen.

Allen drove in two more runs in the top of the sixth, knocking a double out to left field with Destinee Martinez and Henson on base to give the Sooners a 3-1 lead.

Oklahoma took away all doubt in the top of the seventh inning, tagging on eight runs in their final frame. After Ricketts drew a walk to load the bases with no outs on the board, Brianna Williams singled to left field to bring Briana Turang home from third. Martinez followed with a double to left field, brining home Jessica Shults and Kelley Reeves – who pinch ran for Ricketts – to take a 6-1 advantage.

Henson followed with sac bunt RBI single to take a six-run lead and Allen finished off her big day with a two-run home run to give the Sooners their eighth run of the game.

The Sooners will be back in action Friday, traveling to Auburn, Ala. to take part in the ACC/Big 12/SEC Challenge, opening the tournament with a double-header, a 12:30 p.m. matchup against Virginia Tech and an 8 p.m. nightcap against Georgia Tech.