Alex Storako Tough Again as Oklahoma Handles Iowa State in Ames

The Sooners' senior pitcher threw a complete game, one-hit shutout as OU continued its domination of the Cyclones.

Oklahoma got just what it needed Thursday.

The Sooners scored early and rode big-time pitching by Alex Storako to open Big 12 Conference play with a 3-0 win over Iowa State at Cyclone Sports Complex in Ames.

No. 1-ranked OU improved to 28-1 while Iowa State fell to 11-15. They meet again Saturday for a doubleheader that begins at 1 p.m.

OU didn't put on its usual fireworks show at the plate, managing only seven hits and stranding nine baserunners. The Sooners were 4-for-18 with runners on base and only 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Oklahoma went quietly in the first inning, then jumped to to a 2-0 lead in the second on an odd play.

Alyssa Brito opened with a single to right, and Haley Lee hit an infield single to third. Kinzie Hansen’s double to the right-center field wall scored Brito for a 1-0 lead, putting Lee at third and setting up a moment of confusion.

Rylie Boone hit a sharp grounder to second, where Kasey Simpson quickly fired a throw to home plate ahead of Lee. But Lee stopped and outran catcher Mikayla Ramos to third base — where Hansen stood after advancing from second. Lee, thinking she was out, jogged toward the OU dugout, but then was told to go back and touch home. She did, and then the umpires talked it over, met with both head coaches and went to video review before determining it was Hansen who was out at third while Lee was safe at home, giving Oklahoma a 2-0 lead.

OU nearly added to that lead, but instead was caught by some bad luck on the base paths.

Jayda Coleman led off the third inning with a bunt single and stole second, but Grace Lyons’ one-out bloop single was nearly caught in center field, forcing Coleman to stay put. Brito then lined out to shortstop, where Alesia Ranches made the catch and threw behind Coleman at second for the inning-ending double play.

OU was able to tack on a run in the sixth when Saya Swain and Ellie Spelhaug combined to walk the bases loaded by issuing free passes Lee, Boone and Cydney Sanders. Coleman then drew the fourth walk of the inning to make it 3-0.

It was just the fourth time this season the Sooners were held to three runs or less.

But that was plenty of run support for Storako, who went the distance in a one-hit shutout. Storako (11-0) faced 22 batters and struck out five with zero free passes. She threw 71 percent of her pitches for strikes.