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Oklahoma rallies to beat A&M softball team

Special to The Eagle

NORMAN, Okla. - Second-ranked Texas A&M took a two-run lead into the fifth inning but couldn't hold it as the third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners rallied for a 4-2 victory Saturday afternoon in front of 1,268 fans at the OU Softball Complex.

Oklahoma (38-3, 4-1 Big 12) won the game with a four-run fifth capped by Jamie Fox's two-out, two-run single.

The Sooners opened the inning with four straight singles off A&M junior right-hander Megan Gibson (12-2). Traci Dickenson led off with a single. Norrelle Dickson bunted for a single, and the runners moved up on a throwing error by Aggie catcher Patti Wunder-lich. Mariee Mena followed with an RBI single. Mena stole second, and Amber Flores followed with an RBI single to tie the game. Flores stole second, but Gibson struck out Samantha Ricketts, the Big 12 home-run leader, and pinch-hitter Stacia Aleman before Jamie Fox singled to center.

"I thought our kids fought hard today, aside from that one inning," A&M head coach Jo Evans said. "We made an error that hurt us and just could not get a big out."

A&M's Sharonda McDonald extended her hitting streak to 19 games with a double to lead off the top of the first. Macie Morrow singled her home.

The Aggies (28-5, 2-2) made it 2-0 in the fourth. Gibson walked and Amanda Scarborough singled. Jami Lobpries, who had missed nine straight games with a back injury, doubled in Gibson. It was Lobpries' 21st birthday.

OU pitcher Lauren Ecker-mann (22-1) allowed seven hits. The former Brenham all-stater walked three and struck out five.

A&M and OU play the series finale at noon Sunday. The game will be broadcast on KZNE, 1150 AM.

• Former A&M Consolidated standout Courtney Oberg hit a two-run home run to help Baylor to an 8-2 victory over Kansas (25-10-1, 2-1). Chelsi Lake and Ashley Monceaux also homered for Baylor (33-9, 3-0).

• A six-run fourth inning carried Missouri (26-17, 2-0) to a 6-4 victory over Texas. UT right-hander Meagan Denny was touched for seven hits in only 3 2/3 innings. Former Bryan all-stater Crystal Saenz hit a solo HR for UT (26-8, 2-2).

• Weather moved two series back a day. Texas Tech and Nebraska are set to play a 9:30 a.m. Sunday doubleheader in Lincoln, Neb., while Oklahoma State and Iowa State will play an 11 a.m. doubleheader in Ames, Iowa.