OU softball with a 17-run effort, clinches series at Kansas
There have been games where maybe OU softball hasn’t felt like a dominant machine, but this series at Kansas is not one of them.
A pitching gem one night, and an all-out offensive assault the next in a 17-0 five-inning, run-rule victory for OU in Lawrence.
A seven-run top of the second put the game away, but OU once again attacked early with a three-spot in the first as well.
It started with the first batter, and Jayda Coleman going yard. She would hit two home runs and is now in the top 10 all-time for career hits as a Sooner.
Tiare Jennings added a home run as did Alyssa Brito. Six players had multiple hits and four players drove in at least two runs.
The KU struggles were in stark contrast to Nicole May. The senior only needed 32 pitches to go 3.1 innings and move to 11-0 this season.
Head coach Patty Gasso gave the final opportunities to SJ Geurin and Paytn Monticelli to close out a two-hit shutout.
No. 1 OU (33-1, 11-0) and KU finish the series Saturday afternoon.
OU 6, KU 1 (Thursday)
One conference start after another, and Kelly Maxwell is pitching with some next-level confidence. She took it to another level.
Maxwell was one out away from her sixth career no-hitter. One out. Maxwell went the full seven innings. She allowed the one hit, a solo home run, while walking four and striking out nine.
Associate head coach Jen Rocha said earlier this week about Maxwell simply being a student of the game. Someone who can watch, observe and figure it out and get better.
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“She’s sort of taken off,” said Rocha earlier this week. “Obviously a familiarity with hitters … so just kind of getting her vantage point. KD has been our lefty on the staff, but to have another one with different stuff and kind of getting that perspective of what she’s seen and how she’s felt against opponents.
“Game planning with her has been really fun. I’ve been picking her brain a little bit on what she wants to do and how she wants to set up hitters and get them out.”
What might have made it easier for Maxwell is going to the mound up a couple of runs. There’s something about playing on the road that brings out the offense, especially early.
This time it was Tiare Jennings with the two-run home run in the top of the first. With the KU confidence at an all-time high, ranked in some polls, it was imperative for OU to get off to that type of start.
Then it happened again in the second with a two-run shot by Cydney Sanders. And Alynah Torres joined in on the fun with a solo home run in the third.
When you’re that effective early and Maxwell is in the circle? That’s going to be mission accomplished.
