Kierston Deal came through for OU softball when her number was called

OKLAHOMA CITY – In a 9-1 victory for OU softball, it wouldn’t feel like there were legitimate game-changing moments.

But there was one when the Sooners were on the field. Although OU had a 4-1 lead going into the top of the fourth, Kelly Maxwell didn’t have her best stuff.

Bases loaded, two outs, and head coach Patty Gasso was ready to make a move. Nicole May, who has been lights out as a reliever in recent weeks? Karlie Keeney, who has been circled for this spot often through the season?

Nope, Gasso went Kierston Deal. Usually wouldn’t bat an eye at that one, but Deal has been the definition of hit-and-miss in relief.

As a starter? Deal has been among the best in the country. But for whatever reason, in relief, it’s been a struggle.

Deal came through, got the final out. The Sooners tacked on more offense and opening the Women’s College World Series with a win was in the books.

“Not one person can win it on the mound, either,” co-captain Kinzie Hansen said. “Kelly would say she didn’t have her best day. Her drop ball was moving pretty nice from behind the plate. It’s good to be able to bounce pitchers off of each other. So KD came in in that clutch situation with the bases loaded and got us out of there. I think she was spinning the ball really well.”

Of course, Deal had a little help. Senior Jayda Coleman added to her highlight reel with another jaw-dropping catch. This one wasn’t climbing the wall to steal a home run. Instead, it was a diving grab on a short blooper that would have scored two to make it 4-3 with Duke still batting.

Deal rolled the rest of the way, only allowing one hit in 2.1 innings. She earned the win to move to 13-1 this season with a 1.57 ERA.

These are the situations Gasso has been trying to prepare her pitchers for all season. And doesn’t mean it has always worked out, but the message has been the same.

There’s going to be a moment when OU needs them to come up big, and all of them need to be ready. Deal, on this day, absolutely was.

“It’s important,” Gasso said. “But it’s momentum building, it really creates rally around your team. But at the same time, we need Kelly to know to keep going after it, keep fighting, that we’ve got you. We’ll score runs, back you up on the mound. That was really the message.”

Bruins up next

Couldn’t ask for much more in terms of the national softball audience. OU, UCLA on ABC – sounds about right.

The Sooners and Bruins haven’t met this season. But, obviously, have a very rich history of facing each other. Add the next chapter 2 p.m. Saturday, as one team will be that much closer to the WCWS championship series.

For Gasso, though, it’s still tough to comprehend the end of the Pac-12.

“The idea of them dissipating the Pac-12 is really hard for me to fathom because of the history of softball,” Gasso said. “With that, I don’t know, I’m sentimental over that. This is going to be a great matchup. It’s going to be great for television. It’s going to be two teams really fighting for championships.

“UCLA has been playing really, really well. Kelly did a great job of turning that program around ’cause they weren’t starting very well. Their freshmen and sophomore have stepped up big-time for them. They have a really lethal lineup. This should be a really, really fun game to watch.”

The Bruins have the longest winning streak in the country at 14 games.