It wasn’t easy for the three-time defending National Champs, but as the dust settles, the Oklahoma Sooners are in a very familiar spot, playing for a softball national championship.
Early Struggles for the Sooners
Oklahoma fell behind early in a do-or-die game this afternoon against the Florida Gators, who blasted OU 9-3 yesterday. Florida hit home runs in each of the first three innings to lead 5-2.
Comeback Efforts Led by Sanders and Parker
Cydney Sanders blasted a two-run bomb in the fourth to pull OU within a single run. Freshman Ella Parker had an RBI single to tie things in the sixth.
Coleman’s Walk-off Sends Sooners to Championship Series
In the bottom of the eighth, Senior Jayda Coleman led off the inning with a walk-off solo home run to send the Sooners to the championship series for the fourth straight season.
Maxwell Shines on the Mound
After a rough start to the day, OSU transfer Kelli Maxwell was sensational on the mound. She gave up five runs on three hits in the first three innings but blanked the Gators over the game’s final five innings, giving up only an infield single the rest of the way.
Red River Final Awaits
Oklahoma’s win now sets up a Red River Final in the Women’s College World Series. Texas breezed through their half of the bracket, pitching three one-hit shutouts along the way. The teams split the season series 2-2. They met two years ago in the championship series with OU winning two straight.
Historic Stakes
At stake between the two bitter rivals is history, no matter who wins. If it’s Texas, it’ll be the Horns’ first-ever softball national title. If it’s the Sooners, it would be an NCAA record fourth consecutive national championship for Patty’s crew. The fun gets started tomorrow night in OKC with the first pitch scheduled for 7 PM.
Click play below to hear this story and more from the 5 o’clock Skinny on Sports Report by Aaron Kauk.
