Norman, OK (3/1/08) The North Texas softball team lost its first two games, falling to Memphis and No. 10 Oklahoma, in first-day action at the OU/Residence Inn Invitational on Saturday afternoon at the OU Softball Complex. NT lost to Memphis by a score of 4-0 and was run-ruled by Oklahoma, 9-0.

The Mean Green has now lost its fourth straight game and falls to 5-11 overall. Memphis improves to 9-5, while Oklahoma extends its record to 14-4.

Memphis was aggressive from the start, scoring three runs in the first two innings to gain an early lead and knock out NT’s starting pitcher Kristina Fowler. In relief, Kayla Lawson allowed just three hits and one run over 5.1 innings.

Memphis outhit the Mean Green, 9-6, but NT left nine runners stranded on base. North Texas left runners on base in six of the seven innings.

Oklahoma used two home runs to score seven of its nine runs. Amber Flores hit a grand slam in the second inning, and Samantha Ricketts posted a three-run long ball in the fourth to end the game in the fifth inning on a run-rule.

Jennifer Smith (2-3) took the loss for the Mean Green against Oklahoma. She allowed nine runs off six hits. North Texas posted three hits in the game and stranded five runners.

North Texas will play Memphis and Oklahoma again on Sunday. The times have been moved up an hour. The Mean Green plays Memphis at 10 am and Oklahoma at 1:30 pm.