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College softball: No. 1-ranked Sooners improve to 16-0, whip Houston

Keilani Ricketts strikes out 14, adds fourth homer on offense as the Sooners open the home portion of their season

From Staff Reports | Published: March 1, 2013 Comment on this article

Top-ranked Oklahoma continued to dominate all the way around Friday, beating Houston 6-0 in softball at Marita Hynes Field. A home-opener crowd of 720 watched the Sooners (16-0) post their 11^th shutout of the season, this time behind pitcher Keilani Ricketts. The left-hander allowed five hits, but she did not walk any and struck out 14.

“I thought Keilani threw extremely well today,” OU coach Patty Gasso said. “I was really pleased with the crowd, with the weather ... it really says a lot about the fans and their excitement about this team. We were very excited to be home with the comfort of our own field and our own people.”

Ricketts, who helped lower the team's earned-run average to 0.79, contributed to the offense with her fourth home run of the season. Brittney Williams added a hit and two RBIs, helping OU take control early with four runs in the third inning.

OU continues the homestand at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, which will be the first game of a doubleheader against Nebraska.

OSU OPENS AT HOME

The Oklahoma State softball team will have its home opener at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the first game of a doubleheader against Houston. The Cowgirls (7-7) will then play Nebraska twice at home on Sunday, with the first game beginning at noon.