Oklahoma softball makes statement vs. Tennessee in WCWS
OKLAHOMA CITY – There was a real feeling of tension and excitement for Oklahoma softball fans coming into Saturday afternoon.
Conventional wisdom told you the Sooners were in for a massive battle against No. 4 Tennessee. OU had other plans in a dominating 9-0 victory in five innings Saturday afternoon in a Women’s College World Series winner’s bracket matchup at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.
OU is officially one win away from advancing to the WCWS championship series that begins Wednesday night.
The Sooners are now 58-1 overall. Saturday’s victory marked the 50th straight win for the Sooners.
Head coach Patty Gasso has talked often about you never know who she is going to throw out there. The Sooners went aggressive and brought back Jordy Bahl in the circle.
Tennessee opted to rest ace Ashley Rogers, and the Sooners made the Vols pay for that decision.
It began with a three-run home run by Tiare Jennings in the bottom of the second. It spiraled out of control from that point. By the time the third inning was done? The Vols had used four pitchers not named Rogers. And Oklahoma had a 9-0 lead.
Kinzie Hansen started the six-run third inning with a two-run home run. Rylie Boone added a two-run triple as well in the frame.
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Bahl, who pitched a complete game shutout vs. Stanford on Thursday, had no issues in getting the call again.
Bahl allowed a leadoff double and then retired the next 10 batters before allowing a walk. The sophomore went 3.2 innings pitched, allowing just that one hit with the one walk and three strikeouts and throwing 54 pitches.
Alex Storako, Kierston Deal and Nicole May came in to finish the final 1.1 innings. Gasso wanted all of them to get a little work.
Up next for Oklahoma
The Sooners get to wait it out. OU will play again 11 a.m. Monday in the semifinals with a chance to punch its ticket to the championship series. If the Sooners lose the first game Monday, OU can come right back and earn its berth playing immediately after the initial contest.
The Sooners will play either Stanford, Florida State or Washington. The opponent will be determined Saturday and Sunday.
