Jocelyn Alo sent a 2-0 pitch deep to center field in the top of the third inning to secure Oklahoma’s only run of the evening. It was just enough offense for the Sooners as they outlasted Tulsa in a pitcher’s duel.
Golden Hurrican hurler Emily Watson kept OU’s potent offense at bay most of the night. The Sooners managed just three hits on the night and were fanned out five times. Alo’s blast was her 19th of the season and the only blemish on Watson’s record for the night.
WATCH: @78jocelyn_alo's 19th homer of the season was the difference maker in tonight's win!
Full highlights: https://t.co/WE0kF7E1es pic.twitter.com/lb1iMU5OfF
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 18, 2018
Mariah Lopez matched Watson pitch for pitch before giving way to Paige Lowary in the sixth inning. Lopez struck out five batters, and only gave up 2 hits, in 5.1 innings to boost her season record to 13-0. Lowary fanned three and give up just one hit to pick up her seventh save.
“I thought our pitching staff was really, really good tonight,” Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso said. “Giving Mariah a big start like this and how she battled through it was fantastic. And, to see Paige Lowary close the way she did – everything was really in order.”
The win improved Oklahoma’s record to a program best start at 39-2 and improved the nation’s longest winning streak to 30 games. The 2nd ranked Sooners will step out of conference play this weekend to visit #4 Oregon.