Oklahoma blanks Cajuns in run rule win

NORMAN, Okla. – No. 1 Oklahoma built distance from the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball team over the first two innings and went on to post an 8-0 (5 inn.) win on Saturday, March 2 in the OU Tournament at Love’s Field.

The three-time defending national champion Sooners (17-0) parlayed three doubles in the first inning into a quick 3-0 lead. An inning later, a leadoff home run and RBI double ignited a four-spot that stretched the OU lead to 7-0.

Louisiana (8-11) threatened in the third inning when Maddie Hayden, Mihyia Davis and Laney Credeur all singled in succession to load the bases with no outs. However, a diving catch in right field and a double play got the Sooners out of the jam.

After a scoreless third the Sooners manufactured a run with their sixth double of the game, wild pitch and an RBI ground out.

The Cajuns continued to get traffic, placing at least one runner on the base path in the fourth and fifth inning. The Sooners, though, would get the putout needed each time to keep UL off the board.

Davis led UL’s offense with a 2-for-3 showing, extending her season-best hitting streak to seven games and tying Hayden for the team lead with her seventh multiple-hit game. Sam Roe’s fifth inning single stretche her season-best hitting streak to four games.

Denali Loecker (1.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R) started for the Cajuns and was charged with the first five runs OU plated. Sam Ryan (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R) and Lexie Delbrey (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R) combined to limit the Sooners to three runs in a combined three innings of relief.

Louisiana and Oklahoma met for the first time since a tournament held at Marita Hynes Field in March 2019. The victory allowed OU to draw even in the all-time series at 15-games apiece.

The two teams will meet again on Sunday, March 3 in the final game of the OU Tournament set for 12:30 p.m.

UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns to Love’s Field at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 for the first of two matchups with Liberty in the OU Tournament.

The Cajuns and Flames contest can be heard on The Goat 103.3 FM and 1420 AM in the Acadiana region and worldwide on The Varsity Network. Live stats can be accessed at CajunStats.com.

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