In what's become a tradition at this point, the Oklahoma Sooners are going back to the Women's College World Series for the ninth year in a row.
The No. 2 Sooners completed a Super Regional sweep of No. 15 Alabama with a 13-2 run-rule win on Saturday at Love's Field. OU took Game 1 on Friday 3-0 behind Sam Landry's complete-game shutout.
After striking first Saturday with Abigale Dayton's single up the middle that scored Nelly McEnroe-Marinas in the second inning, OU then exploded for eight runs in the third to set up the run-rule. Alabama managed two solo home runs to briefly erase the run-rule, but the Sooners hulked out in the fifth with three solo shots from Ella Parker, Gabbie Garcia and McEnroe-Marinas to seal the deal.
Kierston Deal took care of business in the circle for four innings before freshman Audrey Lowry finished things in the fifth.
The Sooners have been dominant throughout the entire NCAA Softball Championship, outscoring opponents 47-5 while sweeping through regionals and Super Regionals. That eight-run explosion in the third inning was just OU's dominance in a nutshell.
The win extended the Sooners' longest active streak for trips to the WCWS at nine straight and 18 total under Patty Gasso. Alabama was second after back-to-back appearances the last two years, but now the Crimson Tide are back to zero. Oklahoma State also has to start over after five straight trips after getting beat out in regionals last weekend.
Although this outcome seems expected with a ninth straight trip to OKC, Sooner Nation still celebrated like it was the first time, mainly in anticipation for what's ahead while rooting for the four-time defending national champions.
Social media reactions from Sooners' Super Regional win over Alabama
The Women's College World Series will start on Thursday.
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