ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SOFTBALLAMERICA.COM Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Athletics
In a rematch of the 2023 Women’s College World Series Championship Series, Oklahoma once again dominated Florida State with a five-inning 11-3 run-rule victory in the Super Regional series opener.
“A complete game for us,” Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso said. “Loved our offense. Very explosive. Very timely. Very clutch.”
The performance came against a program the Sooners have beaten in two of the last three national best-of-three NCAA championship series. “Really, really good,” Gasso said of her team’s offensive prowess. “The best I’ve seen them (this season). Top to bottom, it’s hard to breath when you’re facing these guys and they’re really feeling it.”
The Sooners’ scoring opened up in the first inning with Tiare Jennings’ 95th career home run, which ties Lauren Chamberlain for third all-time in NCAA history.
Alynah Torres then went two-strike swinging in the second inning sending a shot to right center to score Rylie Boone.
Kelly Maxwell struggled in the circle for the Sooners in the first inning, throwing 34 pitches with two walks, but escaped without giving up a run. The third inning went quite similarly, this time with the Seminoles tying up the game. With bases loaded, Devyn Flaherty singled to right field scoring Kalei Harding and Jaysoni Beachum.
Alyssa Brito immediately responded to take the lead back with a line drive solo home run to left field, which started a rally for the Sooners. With two on base with no one out, Rylie Boone came to the plate and laid down a perfect bunt to cause a Seminoles throwing error that scored Kasidi Pickering. Then, Torres grounded out to score Kinzie Hansen.
The fourth inning became a home run party for the Sooners with Brito crushing her second home run of the night to add two more to the board. Hansen followed up with a two-run blast of her own and Cydney Sanders singled to deep left field to score Boone.
An out away from being run-ruled, the Seminoles broke through and scored their third run of the night when Jahni Kerr singled up the middle to score Annie Potter.
Sophomore Madi Balk took the mound for the Seminoles in the fifth inning after Emma Wilson and Ashtyn Danley threw two innings a piece. With bases loaded, Balk walked her fourth batter to give the Sooners the walk-off win.
Maxwell finished the night with 118 pitches thrown and six batters walked.
“You know what, Kelly fought her rear-end off for this (victory),” Gasso said. “That’s a tough-hitting team. It’s like facing our own team. They swing. One thing they’re so good at, they probably hit 40 foul balls. Their at-bats lasted forever. I credit them for just being tough hitters, but I also credit Kelly for having to bear down and get through it. Holding them to three runs is big-time.”
Oklahoma is just one win away from appearing in its seventh straight Women’s College World Series.
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