OKLAHOMA SCENE

UCO wins club hockey national championship

For the second time in three seasons, Central Oklahoma hockey is national champions.

The Bronchos beat Ohio 3-0 on Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio, to win the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I national title.

UCO led for much of the game after Andrei Novikov put the Bronchos ahead late in the first. But it wasn’t until Sam

Rice buried an empty-net goal with 1:34 remaining that UCO put the championship away.

Rice was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, finishing the tournament with 5 goals and 4 assists. UCO goaltender Alex

Henry shut down Ohio, turning away all 24 shots.

The Bronchos had just 13, but twice beat Jimmy

Thomas.

Novikov got it started with 2:33 left in the opening period, taking advantage of a neutral-zone turnover and putting the puck between Thomas’ legs to break the scoreless tie.

Late in the second, Donald

Danroth skated below the goalline, passing back to

the crashing Josh Wyatt, who one-timed it for the goal.

UCO also won the title in 2015.

The Bronchos entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed but knocked off Illinois and Iowa State to advance to the semifinals, where they knocked off No. 1 Minot State, 6-5, on Monday to advance to the title game.

OSU softball defeats North Texas

Oklahoma State scored early and often as it defeated North Texas 10-2 in Denton, Texas on Wednesday night.

The Cowgirls scored in the first inning when Kristin

Reasnor hit a three-run home run.

OSU added one run in the second inning, two runs in the third inning, a run in the sixth inning and three more in the seventh inning.

Brandi Needham picked up the complete-game victory. She allowed only two runs (one earned) on five hits.

UCO softball opens new stadium with victories

Central Oklahoma softball scored eight runs in the first inning of the first game at its new stadium as it swept a doubleheader with Texas A&M International on Wednesday.

Using those eight runs, UCO run-ruled the Dustdevils in the first game 8-0. It won the second game 4-2. Jayden Chestnut picked up the save during the second game after she struck out 11 batters in 4 2/3 innings.

“It was a good day,” UCO coach Cody White said. “Our team was excited about getting to play on our new field.

“It’s a beautiful facility and we’re really happy to finally be in it.”

News 9 Plus to broadcast 2017 Energy FC matches

Griffin Communications will broadcast OKC Energy FC matches for the upcoming 2017 season, the club announced Wednesday.

News 9 Plus (KSBI-52, Cox 7) will broadcast each Energy match with exception to any USL nationally televised matches on ESPN networks.

The Energy begins the 2017 regular season at Swope Park on March 25 at 7 p.m.

OKC Dodgers singlegame tickets on sale

Single-game tickets for the 2017 Oklahoma City Dodgers are on sale, the team announced Wednesday.

Prices for individual games range from $9-$25. Notable giveaway nights are May 13 (OKC Dodgers hat), June 23 (OKC Dodgers socks) and July 28 (OKC Dodgers blanket).

Tickets packages including the Bedlam baseball games on May 19-20 are also on sale as well as Big 12 baseball championship tickets.

Tickets are available at the OKC Dodgers box office, through Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

OU’s Parker named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

Oklahoma junior pitcher

Paige Parker was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday.

Parker made two starts, winning both, and appeared in another game last week.

She allowed just one run and four hits in 15.1 innings in games vs. Tulsa, Nebraska Omaha and Illinois-Chicago.

Parker is now 7-4 with 93 strikeouts and a 1.83 ERA for the season.