OU softball takes doubleheader, sweeps Baylor to stay atop Big 12

You’re starting to see OU softball face test after test and not blink. It wasn’t just the sweep of Baylor, but it was the way the Sooners did it.

A week removed from having to stop the bats at Texas Tech, the Bears came in with one heck of a pitching staff.

But OU did what it does. It culminated in a doubleheader sweep Saturday to go with the win Friday and move to 9-0 in Big 12 play.

OU took the final game 7-4 after beating BU 12-3 in a five-inning, run-rule to begin the day at Love’s Field.

Head coach Patty Gasso knew the Bears were going to bring their pitching and defense. The OU offense was going to have to continue to make the strides.

Check, done.

“Offense. It was explosive throughout the lineup,” Gasso said. “Some timely hits all over, up and down the lineup all day long. I thought our defense was really good, too. Thought we made some big plays. Pitching was good. There were a few hiccups. Overall, a good, solid day against a real good team.”

It was a banner weekend for leaders like Tiare Jennings and Alyssa Brito. Brito hit one of the longest home runs in the brief history of Love’s. It went beyond the batter’s eye in centerfield, a two-run shot to give OU a 3-0 lead in the third.

Alynah Torres added a solo shot as did Jennings.

Brito drove in three runs and leads the team with 13 home runs.

“It’s been really fun. Just staying confident, making game plans and just going up there and going for it,” Brito said.

Anytime Baylor fought back just a bit, OU had an answer. Each inning Baylor scored, the Sooners added at least run in the bottom of the inning.

Sophomore Kierston Deal earned her seventh win of the season. She pitched four innings, allowing the one run. Deal left the bases loaded in both the second and third innings. Deal walked four and struck out two and is now 7-0.

“It’s growth and confidence,” Gasso said. “After her outing, we talked a little bit. She felt a little frustrated but happy with her performance. Our defense is there for that reason. I love watching our defense work. I love the outfield taking away plays or taking away big hits.”

From there, it was Karlie Keeney and Kelly Maxwell to finish the final three frames. Keeney was perfect for 1.2 innings. Maxwell had trouble in the sixth, allowing three runs but closed the show just fine in the seventh.

OU 12, Baylor 3 (5)

Second game of the series went a lot like the first. Tight battle, and then a monster OU inning opened everything up. And this time? Ended things.

Ella Parker hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the fifth to cap a seven-run frame that turned an intriguing 5-3 contest into the run-rule.

OU had success with the long ball all game. Jayda Coleman hit a two-run shot. Alyssa Brito added a solo one, and Riley Ludlam started the fifth with a two-run shot of her own.

Nicole May pitched all five innings to move to 10-0. She gave up the three earned runs and struck out seven.

Final word

“Well, she’s standing up there with a helmet on, she’s obviously feeling better. But I wasn’t quite ready for that. So I think we need to be a little bit smarter going forward because she’s not completely ready yet. So once the crowd started roaring I’m like, ‘Oh JT.’ But it was her Senior Day too so I think that had something to do with just giving her an opportunity to stand in front of the crowd as well. She’s coming along well. Very optimistic that you’ll see her here in a couple of weeks, if not sooner.” – Gasso on the pinch-hit appearance of Kinzie Hansen

Up next

It’s time for a week in Kansas. It will begin with a Tuesday evening game at Wichita State. Then the No. 1 Sooners (31-1, 9-0) will have a three-game set at KU from Thursday-Saturday for Easter weekend.