Sooners win 7th in a row 2-0, behind Stevens' six-hitter in annual Bedlam battle
NORMAN, Okla. -- The annual Bedlam softball game between reigning national champion Oklahoma and arch-rival Oklahoma State figured to be close. And it was, as the Sooners won 2-0 improving to 25-8 on the season and 4-0 in Big 12 conference play. They extended their win streak to seven games before a season-high attendance of 1,100. The Cowgirls dropped to 19-15 overall and 0-4 in the league.
Wednesday's game was scoreless through three innings before OU took a 1-0 lead on Erin Miller's difficult hop single, scoring left fielder Kady Self. Self singled to open the fourth and went to second when Brittany Williams drew a walk two batters later. Miler chopped a 1-0 pitch to Ali Morrison at second base. Before getting to Morrison, the ball took a nasty hop and ricocheted into right field, allowing Self to score.
Shelby Pendley, who has been leading the OU offense with Lauren Chamberlain out with a back injury suffered March 13, hit her 11th homer of the season over the left-center field fence in the sixth inning for the insurance run. Pendley took two straight pitches for balls, but then unloaded a solo home run to left center to bring the season-high crowd of 1,110 to its collective feet. It was her team-best 11th home run of the season and 33rd as a Sooner. She is now tied with Lindsey Vandever for 10th on the all-time OU home run list.
Each team collected six hits and the Cowgirls even loaded the bases against OU hurler Kelsey Stevens in the final inning, but Stevens got OSU's Morrison to fly out to left field to end the game. Stevens improved to 17-5, striking out eight and walking two in her shutout. Between the fourth and seventh innings, she retired ten batters in a row.
Simone Freeman was the OSU losing hurler and is now 14-8 on the season. It was OU's sixth shutout of the season and was the 28th straight Bedlam game that OSU was held to three runs or less.
Stevens was “exceptional” in the circle as she improved to 17-5 on the season, according to OU head coach Patty Gasso. “I thought she got great outs when she needed them on her own and with a little help from the defense,” Gasso said. “She had eight strikeouts, six hits, and we can win with that. For her to go seven innings, we never had any thought of making a change.
“I don’t feel like anything got hit really hard, just bloopers or balls to the infield. I’m very impressed. She really had a good focus and competitive spirit tonight.”
The Sooners’ homestand continues this weekend as Kansas visits Marita Hynes Stadium in a three-game series. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m.
