NORMAN, OK - The Iona College softball team fell in its 2011 NCAA Regional opener to the University of Oklahoma Friday evening at OU Softball complex. The Sooners scored in four of six innings to pull out a 7-1 victory.
The Sooners jumped on the board in the bottom of the first with two runs. After two singles to lead off the inning, right fielder Haley Nix walked to load the bases. Pitcher Keilani Ricketts was up next and put a 3-2 pitch into left field to drive in center fielder Destinee Martinez with the first run of the game. Left fielder Brittany Williams followed with a single of her own to left to drive in second baseman Brianna Turang with the second Oklahoma run.
Oklahoma continued their scoring in the second. With two out, Martinez reached with her second single and Turang followed with a single to left. Nix then singled to left to drive in Martinez and put the Sooners ahead 3-0.
The Gaels would crack the scoreboard in the top of the third. Junior shortstop Chelsea Sheehan led off with a walk. Sheehan would move to second on a wild pitch before junior designated player Deanne Algeo reached on a walk. With two out and two on, sophomore left fielder Eileen McCann singled to right center to drive in Sheehan with the first NCAA Tournament run in Iona history.
Oklahoma scored in the third when Nix drove in Martinez with a single to left field. Iona would keep the Sooners from scoring until a three run sixth inning. After Martinez and Turang reached with singles, Nix singled to center to bring in the fifth Oklahoma run before Ricketts doubled to the left field gap to score two runs.
Junior Sarah Jackson took the loss for the Gaels, allowing seven runs in six innings. Jackson surrendered 15 hits, with only one going for extra bases while striking out four. Ricketts went the distance for Oklahoma, allowing three hits, three walks and one run in seven innings. She fanned 19 in the contest.
The Gaels play for their Regional lives tomorrow afternoon in a elimination matchup with Missouri State, who fell to Tulsa 9-7 in the other opening round contest Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.