by PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — The new-look Oklahoma softball team started its 2020 season with a 9-3 victory over Nevada (0-2) on Thursday evening at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
Freshmen Kinzie Hansen and Rylie Boone (Osage Nation) led the way in their collegiate debuts for No. 3 OU, with each registering two hits and Hansen driving in four runs.
Senior right-hander Shannon Saile (1-0) got the win in the circle, pitching five innings and registering eight strikeouts while giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and just one walk. Redshirt freshman Brooke Vestal and freshman Macy McAdoo (Choctaw Nation) combined to finish the game for the Sooners, each pitching one inning and striking out one.
Boone recorded OU’s first hit of the season in the first inning with a perfectly-placed one-out bunt to reach first base. Later in the frame, Hansen drove in Boone and junior Jocelyn Alo with a single to shallow center to put Oklahoma on top 2-0.
The Sooners scored two more runs in the third. Sophomore Grace Green singled to center before Hansen and sophomore Grace Lyons reached on an error and walk, respectively. Junior Eliyah Flores hit a sacrifice fly to deep left to score Green, and, after another pair of walks, Lyons crossed the plate to make it 4-1.
OU’s bats came alive in the sixth inning when the Sooners scored five runs on five hits. Junior transfer Taylon Snow singled up the middle to lead off the frame before Boone notched her second hit of the night with a single through the right side. Hansen drove in two more runs with a single to right center, scoring Boone and freshman pinch-runner Raylee Pogue. Lyons then reached on a bunt single that plated Green.
The Flores sisters did their part in the sixth for OU as Eliyah Flores singled through the left side while freshman Alycia Flores drove in Hansen with a pinch-hit fielder’s choice. Freshman first baseman Mackenzie Donihoo followed with a bases-loaded walk to bring in Lyons and finish the scoring outburst.
With the win, OU improved to 35-14 all-time in season openers.
