Sooners Run-Rule Cleveland State in Regional Opener

Oklahoma's softball team shutout and run-ruled Cleveland State 9-0 in six innings in their NCAA regional opener on Friday night at Love's Field in Norman.

Kasidi Pickering hit a pair of solo home runs in the second and fifth innings.

OU scored three runs in the fourth inning, with Rylie Boone and Ella Parker driving in runs on singles, sandwiched around an RBI triple by Jayda Coleman.

The Sooners capped their scoring with four runs in the sixth inning, as Parker hit a two-run double, then Tiare Jennings hit a two-run home run to end the game on the run-rule.

OU starting pitcher Nicole May gave up just three hits and struck out nine in five innings of work.

Oklahoma will play Oregon, coached by former OU player and assistant coach Melyssa Lombardi, on Saturday at 2:00 pm.

The Sooners have won 19 straight NCAA Tournament games at home and 50 of their last 53.