No. 14 Oklahoma racks up 10 runs; Softball falls in Norman, Oklahoma

Wichita State looked for redemption in Norman, Oklahoma, after committing three errors in the seventh inning to give a win to Illinois State on Sunday. Even though the Shockers had their first loss in nine games, confidence was rolling in high, as their RPI moved up 11 spots from the previous week. 

The Shockers had a chance to keep moving up in the rankings against No. 14-ranked Oklahoma, who had also won eight out of their last nine games. 

Oklahoma, however, shattered the Shockers’ confidence early and kept their foot on the gas pedal Wednesday, giving WSU their 14th loss of the season, 10-1 in five innings. 

The Sooners got to work offensively, hitting .560 percent in 25 at-bats and starting the game on a 10-0 scoring run through four innings. Oklahoma’s Shay Knighten hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Later in that half inning, a bunt-single by Kady Self brought in another Sooner run that put OU up 3-0 heading into the top of the second inning. 

Problems continued to build for Wichita State, as Oklahoma extended the lead 7-0 with four second inning scores. After a Knighten single brought in a run, a triple by Oklahoma’s Caleigh Clifton triple brought home two more runs and Self followed with an RBI single. 

Oklahoma’s Erin Miller added a double to bring in two more Oklahoma runs in the third inning, and Oklahoma’s Macey Hatfield’s fourth inning solo-shot to left field put the Sooners up 10-0 at the end of four innings. 

WSU was not able to find an answer at the plate, hitting .176 in 17 at-bats to go along without getting in a hit in two of the five innings. 

A solo home run in the fifth inning by freshman Laurie Ann Derrico prevented the Shockers from leaving Norman defeated in a shutout. Senior Brittany Fortner came up with WSU’s other two hits on the game. 

The Sooners had four players contribute two or more RBI’s in the win in Norman, without committing an error the entire game. Wichita State recorded a throwing error to second base in the third inning.

Oklahoma’s Paige Parker and Jayden Chestnut forced the Shockers to hit the lowest batting average since Hawaii on Feb. 19 when Wichita State hit .173 percent. 

Parker received her fourth win of the season by pitching four shutout innings and striking out four Shocker batters in Oklahoma’s 27th win. 

WSU sophomore Kelsey Sterneker took her third loss of the season Wednesday, pitching a third inning while giving up three earned runs and five hits. 

WSU (20-14) makes their third of four straight road trips, traveling to Evansville, Indiana, to play Evansville in a three-game series, with a doubleheader Saturday. The Shockers are sitting at second in the Missouri Valley Conference, three games behind undefeated Drake, and face a Purple Aces team that is currently last in the standings. 

WSU plays Evansville at noon Saturday at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium in Evansville, Indiana.