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Ella Parker's mammoth home run epitomizes OU softball dominance in Norman Regional

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•05/18/25•

BPrzybylo

Ella Parker12
OU sophomore Ella Parker. (Bryan Terry - Imagn Images)

One swing, and OU sophomore Ella Parker was putting a punctuation mark on the Sooners dominance at the Norman Regional.

One swing, and Cal outfielder Elon Butler didn’t even move. Not one step, she knew. One swing, and 285 feet later, the celebration was on.

Or continued might be a better way to describe it. OU was simply clicking on all cylinders in a 12-1 run-rule (five innings) destruction of Cal on Sunday afternoon to earn the regional championship at Love’s Field.

A 2-0 count with OU already up 8-1 in the top of the fourth, and Parker demolished the ball. Head coach Patty Gasso had no choice but to bring it up in her opening statement.

“Probably one of the longest bombs I’ve seen, here, for sure,” Gasso said.

That’s the qualifier because it’s not like the Love’s Field history is all that deep. But the 285-foot bomb is something everyone will remember who was there.

It was even tough for Parker to put into words. And a long ways removed from when she was struggling at the plate with that leg injury in the first part of SEC play.

“It was definitely shock,” Parker said. “I think the first words that came out of my mouth were I don’t think I’ve ever hit a ball that far. Just that genuine feeling of shock that I really did that was really funny. Everyone around me was like, so, that reaction was just…”

OU scored eight runs in that fourth inning to stamp itself back to Super Regional play. Ailana Agbayani had a three-run home run as did Kasidi Pickering. Gabbie Garcia added a solo home run in the second inning.

Final word

“I’m really pleased with this team and how they came out early and scored big in the fourth and then just kind of added along,” Gasso said. “Looking at the box right now and there were hits up and down the lineup which was wonderful to see.

“Probably one of the longest bombs I’ve seen, here for sure. And I’m thinking about Ailana, I was in a position where I could have called for a bunt but she has got a different focus right now. I think you’re looking at a very hot postseason hitter here. So I didn’t want to take the bat out of her hand. I wanted to see what she would do with it and she’s just coming through big. I’m really pleased with the pitching staff. They gave up three runs over the course of three games. We run-ruled all three. I’ve said this team hasn’t peaked and I’m starting to feel something about this right now and it’s pretty exciting.”

Up next

Well, a lot of waiting for No. 2 OU (48-7) between Alabama and Virginia Tech. Expected to start at 1 p.m., they’ve been in a rain delay all afternoon. The Crimson Tide have the edge in needing just the one victory. Hokies need to win in Tuscaloosa twice to advance to take on OU in Norman. The first game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

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