Kinzie Hansen describes emotion of hitting game-tying home run

For the first time in a long time, Oklahoma looks dead in the water in a game. The Sooners were on the verge of losing to Clemson, ending what has been a historic winning streak. That was until Kinzie Hansen stepped up to the plate, delivering a game-tying home run in the top of the seventh inning.

While Oklahoma was not in danger of being knocked out of the NCAA Tournament, Hansen did save the winning streak and eventually sent them to the College World Series. For a dominant team, having a late-game moment every once in a while is special. Hansen was excited to celebrate with her teammates.

“I heard my teammates yelling right when I hit it, and I just wanted to get home,” Hansen said. “It felt like a mosh pit. Everybody was just shoving each other. My tongue was bleeding. I’m pretty sure I got punched in the face. It was just chaotic. I knew right then and there – this team is not done in 2023 until we decide we’re done.”

As they have in 43 consecutive games, Oklahoma found a way to get a win. It required extra innings and a further home run in the top of the ninth inning from Tiare Jennings to secure the win. Dramatic fashion is not something the Sooners have been used to this season.

Nobody had really phased head coach Patty Gasso’s team up until this point in the NCAA Tournament, rolling through both the Normal Regional and Game 1 of the Super Regional. Clemson provided a real scare in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon.

Now, Hansen will have a memory of a lifetime, being one of the reasons an NCAA record was set. But as she pointed out, there is still so much more work Oklahoma has ahead of them. Anything short of winning a third consecutive national championship will be a disappointment for the program.

Hansen and the Sooners will now make the short trip over to Oklahoma City and attempt to secure that trophy. A few other programs have clinched their spot in the Women’s College World Series but at the end of the day, it may not matter.

With how good of a team Oklahoma is, everyone will be expecting them to once again emerge victorious, being heavy favorites. Special moments along the way, like Hansen’s game-tying home run, make the end result that much sweeter.