NORMAN — Kierston Deal continues to assert herself as a force in OU’s pitching staff.

The sophomore turned in her third consecutive strong outing, helping the top-ranked Sooners to an 8-0 five-inning win over Louisiana on Saturday at Love’s Field.

The victory extends OU’s NCAA-record winning streak to 70.

The Sooners (17-0) will take on Liberty in the second game of the doubleheader, beginning at approximately 1:45 p.m.

The Sooners got their offense going quickly against the Ragin’ Cajuns with a trio of RBI doubles in the first inning.

Alyssa Brito and Ella Parker delivered back-to-back run-scoring doubles to the left-center gap. Two batters later, Tiare Jennings delivered another.

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Brito’s double was the first of three in the game for her. She added another in the second to drive in a run and then led off the fourth with another, eventually scoring on Maya Bland’s groundout.

OU scored four in the second, with Riley Ludlam leading off the inning with a homer to right.

With the game well in hand, the only question was how Deal would finish.

Her only real adversity came in the third when Louisiana started off with back-to-back bunt singles before Laney Credeur loaded the bases with another single.

But Hannah Coor made a diving catch in short right for the first out, sending runners scrambling back to their bases, then Deal got Alexa Langeliers to ground into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.

Deal worked a scoreless fourth before giving way to Paytn Monticelli to close out the game.

Over her last three outings, Deal (3-0) has pitched 16 shutout innings, allowing seven hits and four walks with 18 strikeouts.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball run-rules Louisiana, extends NCAA-record win streak to 70