Photo creditΒ OU Athletics
Shannon Saile improved her season record to 7-0 and Oklahoma increased its Big 12 winning streak to 45 consecutive games as the Sooners took the series from Iowa State by way of a 10-2 run-rule victory. The win boosted Oklahoma’s season record to 24-0 which is the best start to a season in program history.
Saile struck out 11 of the 22 Cyclone batters that she faced in her 4.2 innings of work and while she was responsible for both of Iowa State’s runs scored, she allowed just two hits. Olivia Rains came in to relieve Saile in the fifth and kept Iowa State hitless through the final 1.1 innings of the game.
Iowa State tried a different approach from the circle after Jocelyn Alo went deep twice in the series opener on Friday. They decided to pitch around Alo in game two in an effort stymie Oklahoma’s offensive production. Instead of sending the ball out of play, Alo drew four walks on Saturday instead. She still ended up scoring twice as he battery mates blasted two home runs and knocked in 10 RBI in her stead.
Grace Green put the game in run-rule territory in the top of the sixth with a 3-run homer to right center field to produce the final score of 10-2. An inning earlier Lynnsie Elam had sent a 2-run shot out over the fence at left center field.
Grace Lyons also produced 3-RBI as the only Sooner slugger to produce multiple hits on the day. Going 2-for-2 from the plate, she knocked in Alo and Tiare Jennings in the top of the first, with a single to center field, to get Oklahoma’s scoring started for the day. Then in the second she drew a bases-loaded walk to bring Jennings in for the second time. Lyons battled her was for the bases-loaded walk by fouling off three consecutive pitches before drawing the final two balls of the sequence.
With the series already in hand, Oklahoma has now won 55 consecutive Big 12 series. The Sooners and Cyclones will wrap up their series, with Oklahoma going for a sweep, on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for noon.
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