ECKERMANN’S GEM LEADS #11 OKLAHOMA TO 2-0 VICTORY OVER SOFTBALL

3/15/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Oklahoma’s Lauren Eckermann threw a four-hit shutout to lead the 11th-ranked Sooners to a 2-0 victory over Sacramento State in the third round of the Capital Classic Softball Tournament Saturday morning at the Sacramento Softball Complex.

The Sooners, who are currently ranked 11th in the USA Today/NFCA top 25, improved to 24-6 overall and 3-0 at the Capital Classic. Sacramento State, which upset 19th-ranked Ohio State yesterday, fell to 2-1 at the tournament and 12-11 overall.

Eckermann faced just three batters over the minimum, allowing three singles (all to junior Jamie Schloredt) and one double (to senior Hilary Johnson). Eckermann retired 12 of the final 13 batters she faced, and did not allow a runner past second base during the entire game. She improved her record to 6-2 while striking out four and walking none over seven innings.

Sacramento State’s offense, which entered the game with a team bating average of .304, was shut out for the first time all season. The Hornets have now played a ranked opponent five times in their last seven games.

Oklahoma scored a single run in the third (solo home run from Wendy Trott) and fourth inning (Trott RBI-single) to account for the only runs of the game.

Sacramento State pitched a freshman (Megan Schaefer) and a sophomore (Brittani Clifford) in the game, and both combined to hold down Oklahoma’s potent offense. Schaefer (2-2) started the game and picked up the loss, allowing two runs and six hits in 3.1 innings. Clifford pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing no runs and two hits.

Schloredt finished the game 3-for-3 and raised her season batting average to .412. Johnson’s third-inning double accounted for the Hornets’ other hit.

Sacramento State returns to action later today to face Colorado State at 3 p.m.