After just one weekend into the season, the Oklahoma Sooners have already played a lot of softball.
The No. 3 Sooners finished opening weekend 6-0 after a road trip through the state of California.
OU started its 2025 season on Thursday with wins over Cal State Northridge and San Diego State, which needed nine innings to beat. The Sooners then handled California Baptist and Cal State Fullerton on Friday before shutting down Loyola Marymount on Saturday.
But Long Beach State almost forced the Sooners to miss their flight back to Norman on Sunday. OU had to go 11 innings before finally beating Long Beach State 2-0 and getting through opening weekend unscathed.
Important info:@PlankShow said on the radio broadcast that there's no drop dead time for OU's players today, but select staff are on an earlier flight
— Ryan Chapman (@_RyanChapman) February 9, 2025
No one scored until the 11th inning to finally end things. Abigale Dayton doubled to left-center to bring across Isabela Emerling as the first run of the game. Ella Parker then added one more with a single that scored Dayton.
Clutch gene 🧬 pic.twitter.com/Stn1klnX9d
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) February 9, 2025
With the lead, Isabella Smith shut down Long Beach State, as the Sooners' pitching staff had all game. Kierston Deal got the start, tossing six scoreless innings while giving up just one hit and a walk. Paytn Monticelli pitched 2/3 an inning before Smith took care of the final 4 1/3.
Smith allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three.
Although a long weekend, the extra softball was probably beneficial for these Sooners, especially this early in the season, as Patty Gasso is trying to figure out almost an entirely new roster after losing a legendary class that won four national championships.
Five Sooners made their first career starts on opening day.
It didn't take long for the Sooners to learn who their star is, though, as Ella Parker quickly backed up the Preseason All-American hype. In the six games last weekend, Parker hit .591 (13-for-22) with 10 runs, eight RBIs, three stolen bases, five doubles and a home run.
From Los Angeles, Parker hit her home run against Loyola Marymount in her hometown.
Hometown homers hit different 🏠@ellaparkerrr_ | #ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/US7vZs63Fo
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) February 8, 2025
After the showing, Parker was named SEC Softball Co-Player of the Week on Monday with Auburn's Nelia Peralta. With OU just joining the SEC this season, Parker became the first softball player in program history to get a weekly award from the SEC.
The Sooners will have another packed weekend in Waco, Texas. They will play four games as part of the Getterman Classic, which starts Saturday.