Softball

Friday, February 9, 2018: Season has started
> OU Defeats Weber State; 6-3
> OU Wins @ GCU; 8-1

http://www.gculopes.com/news/2018/2/9/gcu-softball-oklahoma.aspx

PHOENIX - The Grand Canyon softball team suffered its first setback of the season, falling to No. 1 Oklahoma by a score of 8-1 on Friday night in front of 1,403 fans at GCU Softball Stadium. The Lopes fell to 2-1 while Oklahoma went a perfect 2-0 on its first day of the season.

"It's disappointing, I was hoping we were going to come out and show a little bit more." Said head coach Ann Pierson. "Our excitement was good, our approach to the game was good then I think it got big in a hurry. There is a reason they are national champions. They are talented in every area of the game and we made mistakes we just can't make."

Oklahoma, the reigning back-to-back national champions, used a consistent offensive attack to slowly build up a comfortable lead as the night wore on. The Sooners scored at least one run in the first four innings and led 6-0 through four.

"This was a great test and experience for us. We are looking forward to getting out here tomorrow and putting a better foot forward, I think we are capable of doing that." added Pierson.

GCU scored its lone run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning. Shea Smith led off the inning with a base hit and came around to score when Niki Gonzalez hit into a fielder's choice and Oklahoma committed its lone error of the evening.

Shay Knighten led Oklahoma's attack with a 4-for-4 night. As a team, the Sooners collected 11 hits.

GCU's lone multi-hit effort of the night came from Shea Smith at the top of the lineup. The shortstop went 2-for-3 while scoring the Lopes' one run.

The Lopes will get a second crack at the Sooners when the two teams pair up again on Saturday afternoon. GCU will face Oklahoma at 4:30 p.m. and Pacific at 6:30 p.m. as the GCU Kickoff Tournament continues.

Box Score:
http://www.gculopes.com/boxscore.aspx?id=11392&path=softball
 
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Sunday, February 11, 2018 ... The Sooners (5-0) have completed their five games in Phoenix, Arizona at the Grand Canyon Kickoff Tournament.

Oklahoma (5-0)
Weber State .. 6-3
@ GCU .......... 8-1
Montana ....... 4-0
@ GCU ........ 10-0 (5)
Pacific .......... 7-0

Three shutouts in the last 3 games. That is good to see.

Freshman Jocelyn Alo played in all 5 games and had a nice start to her OU career. She was the designated player, and also got spot duty in left field.

Jocelyn Alo (5 Game Totals)
17 .. At Bats
_6 .. Runs
_7 .. Hits (2 HRs; 1 Double)
_4 .. RBIs
_3 .. Walks
_2 .. Strike Outs
 
Yes. Jocelyn Alo CRUSHED a foul ball in Saturday's game down the left-field line against GCU. A GCU television commentator let out a loud gasp at the crack of the bat.
 
Five pitchers got in work in Phoenix.

Innings Pitched
12.1 .. Paige Parker
_9.2 .. Mariah Lopez (3 earned runs allowed)
_6.1 .. Paige Lowary (1 unearned run allowed)
_3.2 .. Nicole Mendez
_1.0 .. Melanie Olmos
 
Looks like Patti changed her approach in this years schedule. Normally we start with two or three tournaments against a passel of warm weather top ranked teams and lose several games. this year we are getting in games against lesser competiton while Patti gets her adjustments in place and the players get into game shape.

I feel that our tough scheduling has hurt our NCAA seedings in several recent years causing us to face really good teams in the super regionals. One year we failed to advance even though we probably were good enough for a much higher seed and an easier advance to the finals.
 
With One Hundred and Seven pages, isn't it about time for a separate Softball board or forum?
 
With One Hundred and Seven pages, isn't it about time for a separate Softball board or forum?

I don't think 11 post in 15 days warrants its own board. It took 2 years, 8 month and 7 days (3.32 pages/month) to get the 107 pages.
 
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The games today with Ball State and New Mexico State were cancelled due to rain. OU will only play three games this weekend.
 
Alo hit a two-run home run to right center in the top of the first. OU leads 3-0 going into the bottom of the first.
 
Alo hit another in the third. Alo and Romero with 3 RBIs each. 6-2 after two and a half.
 
Oklahoma 3 Japan 3

Japan scored 2 in the bottom of the seventh off of a couple of errors by reserves. Starters were mostly out of the game. Then, everyone decided it was too late to continue (1:15 Oklahoma time).
 
Team Japan 9 USSSA Pride 0
USSSA Pride 7 Team Japan 4
Team Japan 3 Oklahoma 3
 
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