NORMAN — With a tie game and two outs in the top of the fifth inning against Northwestern, OU softball coach Patty Gasso turned to senior Nicole Mendes.
Mendes — who was supposed to be out until mid-March recovering from a torn ACL — entered the game to pinch hit for just her third at bat of the season.
The senior hit the ball hard toward the first baseman and hustled down the line before a play was made. Mendes’ hit brought in the go-ahead run, scoring freshman Kinzie Hansen from third base.
Sooner teammates clapped and cheered, and the fans at Marita Hynes Field gave Mendes a standing ovation as she ran off the field for a pinch runner.