Cydney Sanders, Kierston Deal help OU get back on track
For all the freshmen and newcomers for OU softball, it took a couple of very familiar names to get things going again.
Head coach Patty Gasso wondered Friday night how the team would respond after its initial home loss of the season. Cydney Sanders and Kierston Deal had the answers in a 4-1 victory against visiting Tennessee on Saturday at Love’s Field.
An emotional, well-played Friday night ended in a 5-2 defeat for OU in eight innings. Gasso said flat-out, OK, let’s see what you’re made of. The Vols celebrated on your field Friday, bounce back, punch back.
It was a big moment for Deal, who has certainly gone through her fair share of struggles this month. That’s the type of response OU needed from her.
She had to work out of some early jams. And after that, it was Sanders who provided the insurance and room to breathe.
Two on and two out in the bottom of the third, Sanders smoked a three-run home run to give the Sooners a 4-0 lead. A no-doubter that had Love’s rocking once again.
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Deal kept Tennessee off balance all afternoon in throwing her first complete game of the season. Deal gave up four hits and struck out five in 104 pitches. Ailana Agbayani ended the game with a diving catch, punctuating a strong OU effort.
Deal, at one point, retired nine straight batters. Huge for Deal and huge for OU after Sam Landry threw a career-high 141 pitches Friday night. The staff will be ready for what’s coming Sunday.
Kasidi Pickering continued her recent run, seeing the ball as good as possible. Another three-hit day for the star OU sophomore.
Up next
Time to close out the series. The Vols took the first. The second-ranked Sooners (31-2, 9-2 SEC) got the second. Rubber match set for 1 p.m. Sunday on SEC Network+. Sure feels like it will be Sam Landry vs. Karlyn Pickens, both teams getting their best.
