OU softball defeated Marshall by a run-rule after Kasidi Pickering drove in four runs.

Kasidi Pickering drove in four runs and Isabella Smith settled in after a rough start to help the second-ranked OU softball team to a 9-1, five-inning win over Marshall on Friday at Love’s Field.

The Sooners (15-0) will take on Kansas at approximately 4:15 p.m. in the second game of the day.

Pickering drove in runs in four different innings, including a walk-off single to right in the fifth to secure the run rule.

Smith came into the game having started her OU career with 18 ⅔ scoreless innings but found trouble in the first when Marshall had back-to-back two-out hits to take a 1-0 lead.

But Smith settled in from there, allowing just three more hits the rest of the way to improve to 5-0.

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OU tied it in the bottom half on Pickering’s sacrifice fly to right, then gave OU its first lead with an RBI single in the third.

In the fourth, Pickering drew a bases-loaded walk.

Then the sophomore ended the game with her one-out single to cap the Sooners’ four-run fifth.

Earlier in the fifth, Tia Milloy hit her fourth home run of the season — her first at Love’s Field — to put OU up 7-1.Ella Parker later added a sacrifice fly in the inning before Pickering hit her bases-loaded single to end the game.

Bottom 5: Tia Milloy hits first Love’s Field HR

OU freshman Tia Milloy blasted a two-run homer out to right-center in the fifth to put the Sooners up 7-1.

The home run was Milloy’s fourth of the season but first at Love’s Field.

Abigale Dayton started the inning with an infield single before Milloy hit her pinch-hit home run on a 2-2 count.

Ella Parker later added a sacrifice fly to center to put the game on the brink of a run-rule.

End 4: Kasidi Pickering ‘drives’ in another

Kasidi Pickering picked up her third RBI of the day, this time drawing a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning to put the Sooners ahead 5-1.

Gabbie Garcie opened the inning with a single before Ella Parker and Cydney Sanders drew one-out walks to load the bases before Pickering drew another walk to force home a run.

End 3: Kasidi Pickering drives in another

Kasidi Pickering became the first Sooners hitter to drive in 20 runs this season with her third-inning RBI single to score Gabbie Garcia.

Garcia led off the inning with a bunt single.

The Sooners later added another run on Nelly McEnroe-Marinas’ double down the left-field line.

End 1: Sooners tie it

Kasidi Pickering drove in her team-leading 19th run of the season with a first-inning sacrifice fly to tie the game after Marshall had taken the lead in the top of the first.

Pickering’s sacrifice fly scores Ailana Agbayani, who drew a lead off walk, stole second and then advanced to third on Cydney Sanders’ single.

The Sooners tried to manufacture another run on the bases later in the inning, but Nelly McEnroe-Marinas was tagged out in a rundown between first and second before Sanders could cross home plate from third.

Mid-1: Marshall grabs early lead

After Isabella Smith retired the first two Marshall hitters without much incident, the Thundering Herd got back-to-back hits a Rielly Lucas double and a Tia Titi single to grab the first lead.

The run was the first surrendered by Smith, who came into the game having thrown 18 2/3 scoreless innings.

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