Oklahoma opened its softball season Friday with a pair of victories in the Grand Canyon University Kickoff Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Sooners defeated Syracuse 6-0 in the first game of the day behind a one-hitter by pitcher Mariah Lopez, who struck out a career-high 12 batters while walking just two. The performance marked her second career shutout and second career game with double-digit strikeouts.
OU scored single runs in the fourth and sixth before breaking the game open with four runs in the seventh. Catcher Lynnsie Elam of Chickasha was the hitting star for the Sooners, going 2-of-3 at the plate and delivering a bases clearing 3-RBI double in the seventh.