NORMAN, Okla. – Iowa State (19-28, 4-10 Big 12) fell at No. 1 Oklahoma (42-3, 10-1 Big 12), 9-0, on Saturday afternoon in Norman.
Shelby Pendley started the Sooners off with a three-run homer to left field in the first inning and added two more RBI with a double in the second that put Oklahoma on top, 5-0.
With one out in the Cyclone second, Lexi Slater doubled off the left field wall and stole third, giving Iowa State its first scoring opportunity of the game, but Michelle Gascoigne worked outs from Sara Davison and Maddie Reese, after prolonged at-bats by both players, to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
As Slater did in the second, Jorden Spendlove hit a one-out double, this one laced down the right field line, with one out in the third and Sarah Hawryluk stepping to the plate. Hawryluk pushed a soft grounder through the middle and took second base as the Oklahoma centerfielder threw home to get Spendlove attempting to score on the play. Brittany Gomez grounded to second for the third out in the inning.
Iowa State got its leadoff hitter on base in the top of the fourth on a single to left from Erica Miller. After a lineout from Tori Torrescano, pinch runner Alex Tinaglia moved to second on a grounder from Slater before Davison popped out to send the game to the bottom of the frame.
Another leadoff single, this time from Reese, got the Cyclone offense going in the fifth. Aly Cappaert followed with a fielder’s choice and was replaced on first with pinch runner Jennifer Drahozal who was stranded as Gascoigne struck out both Spendlove and Hawryluk for the final two outs.
Oklahoma loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth, putting the winning run on first with slugger Lauren Chamberlain coming to bat. After a Taylor Smith wild pitch plated OU’s sixth run and moved runners to second and third, Smith walked both Chamberlain and Georgia Casey to give OU a seven-run lead. Pendley drove in the two more runs with a double just inside the left field line for the Sooner win, finishing the day 3-for-4 with seven RBI and a run scored.
Smith (7-8) took the loss, giving up nine runs on 11 hits while walking six and fanning three.
Gascoigne (16-2) threw all five innings against the Cyclones, giving up no runs on five hits, walked none and struck out four.
On Sunday, the teams will play their series finale at noon CDT at the OU Softball Complex.
