Bust out the brooms as OU softball sweeps Texas Tech

After a couple of of blowouts to begin the series, OU softball was in a battle at Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon.

It all changed in about a five-minute span. Nicole May came up huge in the circle, and Alyssa Brito did the same at the plate. Sweep secured.

It’s those clutch moments where the Sooners excel so well to help lead to the 11-1 victory in Lubbock and the three-game sweep.

Texas Tech had two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the fourth of a 2-1 game. May was able to get the strikeout to wrap it up.

Then Brito came to the plate in the top of the fifth and smashed a two-run homer. From 2-1 and threatening to 4-1 and back in control.

It was May’s longest outing of the season. Once again, it’s imperative to have the OU pitchers in these situations. They won’t always be double-digit margins and smooth sailing.

Brito then ended the bottom of the sixth with a diving grab, only to lead off the seventh with a solo home run. All in a day’s work.

Rylie Boone drove in three runs, including a two-run single in the seventh. Tiare Jennings punctuated a great weekend for herself with a three-run home run in the seventh as well.

May pitched the first six innings, allowing one run on seven hits with six strikeouts. Karlie Keeney wrapped it up in the seventh.

OU 15, Texas Tech 2 (5) (Saturday)

OK, that’s one way to send a message. A 12-run first inning. Yes, a 12-run inning before even registering a single out.

That will do just fine. The work was done in the first frame.

OU had already scored nine runs in the top of the first when freshman Kasidi Pickering punctuated the memorable frame with a three-run home run.

Once again, 12 runs with zero outs.

It was actually the only home run of the game for OU. But another game where so many players contributed.

Tiare Jennings and freshman Ella Parker both drove in three runs. Parker also had three hits and scored three times.

OU sophomore Kierston Deal pitched 3.1 innings, actually giving up two home runs. It was imperative to get her out in the Lubbock atmosphere and see how she would fare.

From there, it was Karlie Keeney to close the door. OU made it even easier by tacking on three runs in the top of the fifth as well.

OU 14, Texas Tech 0 (Friday)

The elements might not be ideal this weekend in Lubbock, but OU softball showed it is ready for what’s coming.

In particular? Tiare Jennings.

Jennings was 3-for-3 from the plate with two home runs and six RBIs. Head coach Patty Gasso mentioned earlier this week how tricky it can be to play in Lubbock because of the weather and the wind.

She stressed her team was going to need to be tough, mentally strong to handle everything. That is the type of response she was clearly looking for.

The other co-captain got into the act as well. Kinzie Hansen missed the midweek doubleheader because of illness. Gasso wasn’t worried about Hansen returning, and Hansen got herself going with a solo home run in the top of the second.

Alynah Torres joined the home run squad with a solo shot of her own in the top of the fourth. The Sooners were in firm control up 6-0 entering the top of the seventh and just pulled away.

That’s one way to stop Cydney Sanders from doing more damage. She was walked four times Friday before adding an RBI groundout in the seventh.

OU showed tremendous patience at the plate. To go with the 12 hits, the Sooners drew an incredible 13 walks.

From there? Just let Kelly Maxwell work. She needed to work out of one real jam, did that and cruised. Maxwell threw six innings, allowing two hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts. In the seventh, it was Paytn Monticelli to close it out.