Oklahoma softball whitewashes BYU in 8-0 run-rule shutout
By Chip Rouse
Kelly Maxwell pitched a one-hit complete game, and Jayda Coleman and Kasida Pickering had two hits and a home run apiece as No. 2 Oklahoma softball defeated BYU 8-0 in the first game of a three-game set at Love's Field in Norman.
The Sooners (37-3, 14-2) posted their second straight shutout and 18th of the season. It was also OU's 22nd run-rule win of the season.
Oklahoma opened the scoring with a three-run, opposite-field homer by Coleman into the lefr-field bleachers in the second inning, her 10th of the season. Pickering hit a solo shot that cleared the left-center fence in the third and Cydney Sanders blasted a three-run home run in the fifth to finish out the Oklahoma scoring as well as the game.
The Oklahoma State transfer Maxwell pitched another near-perfect game, giving up no runs on one hit, striking out five and issuing one walk. The southpaw ace of the Sooner staff earned her 12th win of the season with just one loss
Maxwell took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. BYU RF/DP Lilly Owen hit a single through the left-side of the infield with one out to record the Cougars' only hit in the game. Maxwell shut down a BYU lineup that ranked third in the Big 12 hitting, allowing them to go just one out of 16 at the plate.
Oklahoma has now beaten BYU nine consecutive times and is 10-1 against the Cougars all-time, but this was the first time as a member of the Big 12.
Game 2 in the series will be Friday evening at Love's Field at 6 p.m.