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Oklahoma opens the Mary Nutter swinging

by:Tara Henry•02/24/24
187A1861

Oklahoma 9, Mississippi State 3

Mississippi State Strikes Early in Dramatic Opening Inning

Mississippi State made an explosive start in the top of the first inning, setting the tone for an exciting game. The action kicked off with Sierra Sacco drawing a leadoff walk. Paige Cook’s double over Jayda Coleman‘s head sent Sacco all the way home, yet the play was reversed. After the umpire addressed both dugouts, Cook returned to the plate, as Sacco left early.

The call erased the run and Cook instead singled to second base. The crowd roared when Jessie Blaine smashed a two-run shot to left field, putting Mississippi State ahead.

Responding quickly, Coleman ignited the Sooner offense in the bottom of the inning with a single to shortstop, swiftly followed by a stolen base. Kinzie Hansen matched the intensity with a two-run shot of her own.

Aspen Wesley showcased strategic pitching sequences as the innings progressed, securing crucial strikeouts with the off-speed to close out innings.

In a game of back-and-forth, Hansen’s exceptional play behind the plate is something the box score isn’t going to show. The Oklahoma backstop prevented multiple stolen bases and kept the ball in front of her for the entirety of the game with runners on base.

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The Sooners took the lead in the second, with Parker’s leadoff hit. Hodge reached on a high slap single to second to bring Rylie Boone to the plate. Boone delivered with a double down the right-field line. Coleman’s sac fly to center earned the Sooners the lead for the first time in the ballgame, 4-3 after two innings.

Despite Mississippi State’s solid swings, May held the Bulldogs to seven hits and three runs.

The tension escalated in the late innings, with SJ Guerin and Kelly Maxwell‘s impressive outings in relief. Maxwell shut the door in the seventh after back-to-back walks. The lefty hurler proceeded to strike out the side and picked up four Ks in 1.1 innings of work.

What makes OU so tough to beat? The Sooners are relentless on offense, laser-like focus as each new pitcher enters the circle. Oklahoma possesses so many weapons up and down the lineup with the super seniors getting it done against the Bulldogs. The top of the lineup knocked in seven of RBI on the day with the rookie Ella Parker showing maturity above her age with a pair of quality at-bats. That’s just the offense. The pitching staff consists of both right and left-handed arms, high velo, high spin rate, experience in the postseason, and workhorses. Name it and the Sooners got it.

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