A pair of game-turning plays at third base set up 10th-seeded Nebraska’s 6-5 upset over second-seeded Oklahoma in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Softball Tournament at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
An OU rally died when pinch-hitter Chana’e Jones lined into an unassisted double play to end the fifth inning.
Trailing 5-4, OU gave the Huskers an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when OU catcher Lindsey Vandever tried to pick off a runner at third base with two outs and an 0-2 count on the batter. Vandever’s throw hit off the glove of third baseman Jessica Legendre and went into left field, giving Nebraska a 6-4 lead.
Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso chose to save her ace pitcher D.J. Mathis, instead starting Lauren Eckermann, who allowed two early runs. Gasso then went to Jadyn Smith over Mathis in relief and the senior allowed three runs in the third inning.
OU cleanup hitter Samantha Ricketts led off the bottom of the seventh with her second home run of the game and the Sooners got two more baserunners on, but failed to move them around.
OU now must wait until Sunday at 9 p.m. to learn their postseason fate. The Sooners entered the weekend ranked No. 7 in the USA Softball top 25 and will be a candidate to host a four-team NCAA regional tournament next weekend. However, the Sooners were the No. 3 seed in the country last year yet were sent to Massachusetts for regionals.
The NCAA Tournament selection show will air on ESPNU.
