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Kasidi Pickering, Cydney Sanders keep OU softball unblemished in 2025

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•about 10 hours•

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Kasidi Pickering5
OU sophomore Kasidi Pickering. (Bryan Terry - Imagn Images)

There wasn’t supposed to be any drama for OU softball Monday. Neither Bowling Green nor Abilene Christian were expected put up much of fight. And if they did, the Sooners should have had no problems punching back.

It’s two more wins, but it was far from a cakewalk for Patty Gasso and company. OU needed a three-run walk-off to take down BGSU in eight innings by Kasidi Pickering.

The Sooners almost went the initial three innings against ACU without a hit. But, eventually, everything started to fire again with an 8-5 victory against Bowling Green and 9-1 vs. ACU (5 innings).

It was a big day for Cydney Sanders, who homered in each game. Her two-run shot in the bottom of the third vs. ACU sort of woke everybody up. Sanders came through again with an RBI single in the fourth inning. She drove in seven for the day.

“She cares about this team and I feel that and she’s been a good representative of just being authentic to who you are vs. being this way and living this way so to speak,” Gasso said. “The changes in her have been absolutely amazing, Her faith has done that and I’ve seen that. It’s been really awesome to watch.”

Paytn Monticelli made just her second start of the season. She threw three innings, allowing one hit and one unearned run with four strikeouts.

That led the way to Bella Smith to finish it the rest of the way. Ella Parker sent everybody home with a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth, as OU scored four in the frame to close the show.

“I think over the actual weekend? We might have been a little bit tight,” Gasso said. “This is new for us. We were playing in front of a thousand fans for the Battle Series, but now we’re at 4,500. It sound different and feels different. I do think there were a few nerves. Think Audrey Lowry was a little nervous to get the start today as well. I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t even think about that. To me, I’ve been doing it so long so it doesn’t faze me.

“I’m not going to say we were nervous. I just don’t think we were as free flowing as we’ve been. We’ve talked about that and understand that. There are a few things we’re going to make changes with that I think will help them feel more fresh and things like that. We know that this is the last official tournament weekend and kind of the last chance to get things right before conference play.”

OU 8, Bowling Green 5 (8 innings)

Pickering had to play hero in a competitive game nobody saw coming. BGSU entered at 2-6, and you figured this would be a five-inning light work type of contest.

Bowling Green actually led 3-0 and had a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Cydney Sanders crushed a grand slam in the second inning. And when OU needed something, it was Ella Parker to deliver the game-tying run.

Sam Landry had to come out of the bullpen for the final two frames. All she did was strike out five of the six batters she faced to move to 4-0.

Pickering hit a three-run bomb Saturday. Did it again, in walk-off fashion in the eighth as the sophomore continues to make an impression.

Up next

The No. 2-ranked Sooners (14-0) aren’t going anywhere. Staying home at Love’s Field for another weekend tournament. Marshall, Kansas and Kansas City will be coming to town. OU will play Marshall and KU twice, with one game against Kansas City.

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