Oklahoma softball: Sooners rally for 4 runs in 7th and defeat No. 6 Ok State 4-2
By Chip Rouse
The never-say-die Oklahoma softball team seized victory from the jaws of defeat on Saturday afternoon in enemy territory, scoring four times in the final inning to erase a 2-0 deficit and pull out a 4-2 win over Bedlam rival Oklahoma State.
The Sooners (48-1. 17-0) were down to their final three outs and hadn’t really generated much offense all game as they headed into their final at bat and facing what could have been the first time they had been shut out since losing 1-0 to Alabama in the 2019 Women’s College World Series.
But this is the Oklahoma Sooners, and it’s never over until the final out is recorded. They’ve proved this over and over again over the years.
Oklahoma State No, 3 starter, freshman Kyra Aycock had dominated the high-octane OU offense for six strong innings, holding the No, 1 scoring team in the nation scoreless and with just three hits.
The Sooners loaded the bases with none out in their first at bat, but Aycock was able to get out of it unscathed on a double-play groundout followed by another ground ball out. That ended up being OU’s biggest scoring threat of the game — until the fateful seventh inning.
For the second game in a row, Oklahoma State took the lead scoring first off of OU. Taylor Tuck singled in Tallon Edwards who had tripled down the right-field line to lead off the inning to give the Cowgirls an early 1-0 lead.
That was all the scoring in the game as the two teams failed to score in the third through fifth innings.
Nicole May, who ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division I softball with an extremely stingy ERA of 0.42, did not have her bust stuff for the Sooners on Saturday. The junior right-hander pitched into the sixth inning, giving up two runs and eight hits, striking out four and issuing one walk.
Freshman Kierston Deal entered the game in relief of May with two outs in the sixth after the Cowgirls had added an insurance run to go up 2-0. Deal got the final out, striking out pinch-hitter Claire Timm to send the game to the seventh inning.
OU freshman Jocelyn Erickson opened the seventh inning for the Sooners, doubling down the right-field line on an 0-2 count to put just the third runner as far as second base the entire game. Avery Hodge followed with a sharp single to left center that scored Erickson, and just like that it was a one-run game. Kelly Maxwell, the Oklahoma State starter on Friday night, replaced Aycock after 108 pitches and the tying run on first base for the Sooners.
You could feel the momentum changing in Oklahoma’s favor.
Rylie Boone, the ninth hitter in the Sooner lineup was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second with no outs. That brought the top of the order up for Oklahoma. Jayda Coleman, the No, 2 hitter in the Big 12 struck out looking. That brought up Tiare Jennings, one of three Oklahoma finalists for National Player of the Year. Maxwell unloaded a wild pitch during Jennings’ at bat, which advanced the Oklahoma base runners to second and third with one out and put the lead run at second base.
On a 3-and-2 count, Jennings laced a two-run double off the left-center-field wall that scored both Hodge and Boone and put the Sooners up 3-2, still with just one out. Arizona State transfer Cydney Sanders, one of the stars of Friday night’s Oklahoma win, singled down the left-field line, which scored Jennings, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch it to a double.
The seventh inning continued for the Sooners with Alyssa Brito drawing a walk and Grace Lyons getting an infield single. Maxwell got Haley Lee to pop out to first base to end the inning and the rally, but the damage had been done.
OU head coach Patty Gasso left the freshman Deal in the circle to face the home team Cowgirls in the bottom half of the seventh, and she delivered, retiring the side in order and handing the Sooners their 40th consecutive win and 28 of in the last 30 games against Oklahoma State.
Deal got the win in relief, her third of the year without a loss. Maxwell, who gave up two OU hits and the two runs that decided the game,was charged with the loss for Oklahoma State, her fourth loss of the season against 14 wins.
The win on Saturday clinched the series with Oklahoma State and earned the Sooners their 55th consecutive Big 12 series win. OU goes for the series sweep on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be available for viewing on ESPN+.