Oklahoma softball's first game out in New Mexico portends great things for the rest of the weekend.
The No. 4 Sooners rolled over Montana, 17-0, in five innings in the first game of a doubleheader in Las Cruces. Oklahoma was set to play host New Mexico State in the second game.
The bottom of the lineup did the most damage against the Grizzlies. Catcher Isabela Emerling was especially impressive hitting in the seven-spot. She went 3 for 3, clubbing home runs in each of her at-bats, collecting six RBIs and she walked in her other plate appearance.
After OU started things with a one-run first inning, Emerling began the deluge in the second, hitting a solo home run as the first batter to the plate. Lexi McDaniel followed with a single and Sydney Barker knocked her in with a single of her own from the nine-hole. Lead-off hitter Kasidi Pickering followed with a two-run home run and Kendall Wells capped the six-run inning with a three-run shot.
It was more than enough for Oklahoma starter Miali Guachino. The Ole Miss transfer pitched 4 2/3 innings without giving up a single hit while striking out six. She did hit two batters and walked one, but that was all the Grizzlies lineup could manage.
Emerling started another six-run fifth inning with a three-run home run. She and Wells both homered in the fourth, as well. Barker, Ailana Agbayani and Kai Minor also homered for the Sooners, who clubbed eight as a team.
Oklahoma will play Minnesota and Idaho State in a doubleheader Saturday to close out their trip to the desert.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma blasts eight homers in easy win over Montana