Grace Lyons previews matchup against Florida State pitcher Kathryn Sandercock

Oklahoma softball star Grace Lyons is aware of the challenge that Florida State pitcher Kathryn Sandercock presents. The Seminoles ace has been a pivotal part in leading the team to the Women’s College World Series final, where they will take on the defending champion Sooners.

Sanderock has a 28-3 record this season and has continued to impress in postseason play, recording 27 strikeouts and allowing only three runs across eight games. As OU prepares to face FSU in Game 1 of the best-of-three series on Wednesday, Lyons broke down what stands out most about the opposing pitcher.

“She’s such a competitive pitcher,” she said. “I think we’ve seen a lot of competitive pitchers this year, but she has a really cool just way she pitches. She does a lot of different things and keeps hitters on edge. So I think we’re just excited to get her best and Florida State’s best because it’s going to take a complete team on both sides to win a series.”

Although Sandercock leads Florida State’s pitching staff, Lyons and the Sooners are aware she isn’t the team’s only weapon. The Seminoles also have freshman Makenna Reid, who leads the team with a 0.89 ERA, as well as Mack Leonard. That trio has proven tough to score on in the NCAA Tournament, giving up just six runs combined.

That in mind, Lyons knows Oklahoma will have to be prepared no matter who is in the circle for FSU.

“It’s not just one pitcher and it’s not just one-hitter on our side or anything like that,” she said. “So I think we’re excited to bring complete teams on both sides and just compete against each other. I think it’s just going to be a battle, just kind of the theme of the fall and all that, it’s going to be a battle in June.”

Oklahoma and Florida State have already met once in the regular season this year as the Sooners managed a close 5-4 victory. Sanderock started that game but ultimately pitched only two innings and was pulled after giving up three hits and a run. Lyons did not play in the contest as she rehabbed from injury, so will face the Seminoles for the first time Wednesday.

OU and FSU also faced each other in the WCWS final in 2021, and both Lyons and Sandercock were on the team then. The Sooners ultimately pulled off the win that year and followed with another championship in 2022. As they eye a threepeat this season, they’re prepared for the challenge of staving off a Seminoles team looking for revenge.

“We’re excited for that,” Lyons said. “We have seen them before, but also we can’t treat it like we’ve seen them before. It’s a brand-new team on both sides. So we’re just excited to prepare and give them our best.”

Game 1 of the WCWS final will begin at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.