Oklahoma softball 'scoring early, scoring often' in NCAA Regional opener vs. Hofstra

The Oklahoma softball team opened play in the Norman Regional with a game against Hofstra on Friday evening, and things got off to a good start for Patty Gasso‘s Sooners.

The Sooners collected a pair of hits that drove in a run in the first inning to take the lead, then they tacked on two more runs in the second, third and fourth innings to blow the lead out to 7-0.

“Scoring early, which they did. Scoring often,” Gasso said in an interview with the TV broadcast crew just before the fourth inning began. “So so far so good. Love the way Nicole (May) is on the mound right now, just command. I feel like we gave up a few at-bats. There are a few athletes here who haven’t been with us in postseason, so there’s maybe a little bit of nerves. But I think we’re starting to settle down.”

The Oklahoma softball team has a number of capable pitchers, but May was the one the Sooners went with in the opener. She boasts a 16-0 record with a 0.60 ERA, working five complete games and striking out 117 while walking only 27.

Later in the regional Oklahoma will have the luxury of turning to either Alex Storakoalex (17-0, 0.75 ERA) or Jordy Bahl (15-1, 1.15 ERA). Kierston Deal (3-0, 0.90 ERA) is also available but hasn’t pitched as much as the aforementioned three.

Gasso explained why she went with May for the opener.

“She’s earned it. I mean I could give it to any one of these three or four, really, and Nicole’s just always been kind of the one waiting patiently,” Gasso said. “I know Hofstra’s got some good short game. She handles defense very well. She’s shown that she’s the right person for the job thus far.”

The Sooners picked up two runs in the bottom of the second inning when catcher Kinzie Hansen singled to lead things off, then shortstop Grace Lyons blasted a two-run homer to left field.

Oklahoma tacked on two more in the bottom of the third to make it 5-0. Hansen drove in both runs with a double after Haley Lee and Alyssa Brito singled ahead of her.

Despite strong winds blowing in, Oklahoma managed to scratch out another two runs to make it 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jayda Coleman hit a two-run shot to center field.

That came right after Gasso said she wanted the Oklahoma softball team to account for the wind.

“Had a big hurricane come our way here, so trying to get the ball out of the air because it’s going absolutely nowhere,” Gasso said.

Play was in the bottom of the fourth inning with Oklahoma batting at the time of publication.