Oklahoma holds Missouri softball scoreless

The No. 3 Missouri softball team could not repeat the same offensive performance it had Saturday against Oklahoma.

The Tigers (23-4) managed one hit in a 9-0 loss in six innings to No. 13 Oklahoma Sunday in Norman, Okla. The Tigers split the two-game series, winning Saturday's game with 11 runs on eight hits.

Sunday's loss ended Missouri's four-game winning streak. It was only the second time this season the Tigers lost by run rule. The other was a 9-0 loss to Alabama on Feb. 13.

Oklahoma pitcher Keilani Ricketts (17-7) stymied the Tigers allowing four base runners, issuing three walks and a single by senior Michaele Vock in the third innings. She also struck out eight batters.

Missouri coach Ehren Earleywine was pleased about his teams offensive despite not scoring any runs.

"We actually put the ball in play better than we did yesterday," Earleywine said by phone. "We just got snake bit, we just hit the ball right at them."

Missouri pitcher Kristin Nottelmann (6-3) took the loss. She pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing six runs (2 unearned) on seven hits. She walked three batters and stuck out three. Jana Hainey and Lindsey Muller combined to pitch two innings in relief allowing three runs on six hits, including a game-ending solo home run from Oklahoma third baseman Dani Dobbs in the sixth inning.

Missouri pitcher Chelsea Thomas missed her second game of the season. According to Earleywine, she was diagnosed Thursday with a stress fracture in her right (throwing) wrist. The sophomore will be re-evaluated Monday. The right-handed ace is 12-1 on the season with a 1.72 ERA and 123 strikeouts. Earleywine planned for her to pitch most the Big 12 Conference and postseason games, but the status on her return has yet to be determined.

"Of course it hurts to lose your best player," Earleywine said. "But we are going to keep on scrapping. We will win in different ways than we did earlier in the season."

The Tigers now have a 1-1 record in the Big 12 and will play their next conference game against Oklahoma State on Saturday at University Field.

"We know we can compete with anyone in the league," Earleywine said. "I'm sure all the (Big 12) teams will beat up on each other, and it will probably come down to the last two or three games to see who wins it."