Oklahoma sweeps Houston in doubleheader
HOUSTON — Back on the diamond after last week’s record-setting season debut, Oklahoma swept the Houston Cougars in a Sunday doubleheader, run-ruling Houston 12-4 and then coming from behind to win the second game 5-3 at Cougar Softball Stadium.
Jocelyn Alo hit her fourth home run of the season and finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs, Mackenzie Donihoo homered and scored three runs, and Grace Green homered in her first at-bat of the season and went 2-for-2 with two RBIs as the No. 2-ranked Sooners cruised.
OU scored five runs in the second inning and five more in the fifth.
Houston touched up Giselle Juarez for four earned runs in four innings and took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Sarah Queen’s three-run home run.
Oklahoma played without senior outfielder Nicole Mendes, senior infielder Taylon Snow, senior infielder Jana Johns and sophomore pitcher Brooke Vestal due to COVID-19 contact tracing protocols.
The Sooners had to fight through some adversity before eventually emerging victorious 5-3 in Game 2.
Alo smashed a towering home run into left field to give OU the 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Cougars would soon respond.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Sooner defense surrendered a trio of errors, their first of the season.
Bethany Busch gave Houston a 2-1 lead when two throwing errors at third base a home plate turned her single into essentially an inside-the-park home run, bringing home teammate Lindsey Stewart as well.
Grace Lyons resumed her home run hitting from opening weekend, where she tied a program record with three home runs in OU’s season opener, with a three-run shot in the top of the fifth inning to put Oklahoma back in front for good.
Houston’s Kati Brown tacked on a homer in the bottom of the fifth inning as a late consolation for the Cougars.
Alo finished Game 2 batting 3-for-3, Lynsie Elam hit 2-for-3 with a single, double and a hit by pitch, and both Lyons and Kinzie Hansen hit 2-for-4.
Freshman pitcher Nicole May threw 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and one walk while striking out eight batters.
The Sooners are scheduled to be back in action Monday at 11 a.m., facing off against Tarleton State.