This win meant more for the Oklahoma Sooners.
The OU softball team slid past South Carolina 10-9 on Friday night at Love's Field in the Sooners' first-ever SEC matchup that was a top-10 battle between the last two undefeated teams left.
After finishing their nonconference slate 19-0, the No. 1 Sooners started their new era in the SEC in fitting fashion. The conference is loaded with 13 ranked teams in this week's ESPN.com / USA Softball Collegiate Top 25. All but one of OU's conference series this season will be against a ranked opponent.
With such competition, of course OU's first SEC game would pit together the two last undefeated teams left in Division-I college softball. But after Friday night, only the Sooners are still perfect.
It was the expected back-and-forth fight expected from a pair of heavyweights, but OU ultimately had the more powerful swing with six extra-base hits compared to South Carolina's one.
The Sooners gave the first blow when third baseman Nelly McEnroe-Marinas singled to left field to score Ella Parker. The Gamecocks then answered the next frame with five runs, largely in part from three errors by OU. Every run but one in the inning was brought across because of an error.
OU can put up runs quick, though. Catcher Isabela Emerling hit a two-run shot over left field in the second. In the third, shortstop Gabbie Garcia hit another home run to score three and give OU a 6-5 lead.
GG has us covered with a late dinner order - oppo taco for the lead 🌮💣#ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/ddosuwYVQY
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) March 8, 2025
After South Carolina tied it up in the top of the fifth, Emerling hit her second two-run homer. Hannah Coor then added two more with a double in the sixth to seemingly put the game away with a 10-6 lead headed to the final inning.
BELLLLLA BOMBBBB X2 💣@isabelaemerling | #ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/3qqdpWsxEc
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) March 8, 2025
The Gamecocks still had some fight, though. Lexi Winters hit a three-run bomb to get her team within one with no outs on the board. But Isabella Smith got the next three batters in order to secure the Sooners' first SEC win in program history. Smith also got the win on the mound after relieving Kierston Deal in the fifth inning.
With rain in the forecast, the series will have to wait an extra day for Game 2. Saturday's game was moved, creating a doubleheader for Sunday at Love's Field. First pitch will be at 1:30 p.m. CT with Game 2 starting 40 minutes after the first one ends.