Sooners Take Two At Littlewood Classic

Sooners Blitz Boston in Littlewood Opener

No. 3 Oklahoma (6-0) scored at least three runs in every inning and picked up its fourth run-rule win in six games after a 14-4, five-inning win over Boston (0-1) Friday morning in the first game of the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

Oklahoma's offense was led by senior Lauren Chamberlain, who was 2-3 with three runs scored and four drive in. In addition to an RBI single, Chamberlain connected in the fifth inning for her team-best fourth home run.

The three-run shot was No. 76 in her career to move her into a tie for seventh on the all-time DI home run list with Arizona's Jenny Dalton (1993-96). She is 14 away from tying and 15 away from breaking the all-time home run record of 90 by UCLA's Stacey Nuveman (1997, '99, 2001-02).

Junior Erin Miller drove in a season-high three runs thanks to a triple with the bases loaded in the first inning.

The offensive outburst came in support of starter Kelsey Stevens, who earned her first win of the season in her third start. The junior struck out a season-high nine batters and allowed four runs on five hits in the complete-game effort.

OU Softball Holds Off No. 15 Washington, 8-7

For the first time in this young season, the Oklahoma softball team had to battle real adversity thanks to No. 15 Washington. The challenge was met and accepted, though, by the No. 3 Sooners (7-0) as they held off the Huskies, 8-7, at the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

Oklahoma held a 6-0 lead through five innings and starter Paige Parker had a no-hitter entering the bottom of the sixth.

Washington rallied for six runs on eight hits and an OU error to tie the game at 6-6 going into the seventh.

In the seventh, senior Shelby Pendley led off with a single to left field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Parker. With a runner in scoring position, Miller rifled a single into the left field corner to break the tie and give OU the 7-6 lead.

Junior Kady Self then singled back up the middle and Miller, who had advanced to second after her single on a fielding error by Braun, moved to third to put runners on the corners. Junior Whitney Ellis batted next and laid down a perfect squeeze bunt. The ball landed in front of three Washington players and their indecision on fielding the ball enabled Miller to slide in safely from third.

The run proved necessary as Washington scored one run in the bottom of the seventh and had two in scoring position before junior Kelsey Stevens got a flyout to left field to end the game.

In the first inning, Chamberlain turned on an 0-1 pitch and crushed it to left field for her team-best fifth home run of the season. It was the 77th home run in Chamberlain's career, breaking a tie for seventh place on the all-time list with former Arizona Wildcat Jenny Dalton (1993-96). Chamberlain now sits just 13 away from tying the record of 90 and 14 away from breaking it.