Oklahoma Softball: Sooners Win Bedlam Series, Clinch 10th Straight Big 12 Regular Season Title

NORMAN — For the second consecutive night, the Oklahoma Sooners cashed in on some third-nning magic.

With OU failing to plate a run in the first two innings, Oklahoma left fielder Alyssa Brito broke the deadlock in the bottom of the third, plating the first of OU’s five runs in the frame.

Patty Gasso’s No. 1-ranked Sooners never gave the momentum back to No. 7 Oklahoma State, downing the Cowgirls 6-0 on Friday night at Marita Hynes Field.

The victory clinched the 10th straight Big 12 regular-season title for the Sooners (47-1).

“Just really proud of this team,” Gasso said. “It was nice to do it in front of our home crowd. I thought we played really well both games.”

Friday’s contest started much like Thursday’s, as OSU’s Morgan Day and OU’s Hope Trautwein both cruised in the circle through the first two innings. But OU dialed in on the Oklahoma State pitcher in the third.

Jayda Coleman started the inning off with a leadoff walk, and Jocelyn Alo promptly moved her over to third with a single.

Tiare Jennings grounded a ball to the third baseman, and Coleman appeared as if she’d been thrown out at home, but OU’s leadoff hitter was able to get back to third safely to load the bases with no outs.

Two batters later, Brito broke through.

The Sooner left fielder turned on the second pitch she saw, plating Coleman.

Jana Johns then drew a bases-loaded walk, and then Kinzie Hansen ignited the sellout crowd with a three-run double to cap off the five-run inning.

Hansen’s double was an emphatic way to break a slump, as the standout catcher had failed to reach base in her previous 17 at-bats.

“My teammates have been picking me up for quite some time now,” said Hansen, “so I thought it was about time that I picked them up.

“I’ve been feeling on the verge for a while. I feel like today I came in with a whole new mindset. … I play my best ball when it comes to late May, June, so it feels good to be back in play.”

The breakthrough came in the third inning for the second straight night, which Hansen said is a testament to the work the team puts in to make sure they’re constantly adjusting to the game plan from opposing pitchers.

“Our mentality one through nine is very intertwined,” Hansen said. “… And I think honestly if I was a pitcher I’d be a little scared because you get through the lineup one time, but you’re not going to get through it a second time.”

In the meantime, Trautwein kept the Cowgirl bats quiet as OSU fell to 38-11 on the season.

Trautwein allowed three hits and issued three walks, striking out four Oklahoma State batters in 5 1/3 innings of work on the same night she was being recognized as the senior standout.

The Oklahoma pitcher did need a spectacular defensive play, however, to keep her shutout intact.

With two outs in the top of the fifth inning, OSU’s Katelynn Carwile singled to right field. Cowgirl coach Kenny Gajewski waved Chelsea Alexander home, but Rylie Boone rifled the ball home in time for Hansen to apply the tag and end the Oklahoma State threat.

“That was really, really awesome,” Trautwein said. “I was in a tough spot there. And just knowing that they’re behind me 1,000 percent, Boone with an amazing throw and (Hansen) with an amazing tag, we practice that every day.

“And it’s so nice to see that hard work paying off and it was nice to grab that momentum.”

Moments later, Grace Lyons added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The standout shortstop launched a ball to left field, just sneaking inside the foul pole.

For the evening, Alo finished 2-for-4 and Brito hit 2-for-3 off of Day. Day pitched all six innings, allowing seven hits and three walks while striking out four OU batters.

Jordy Bahl entered the game in relief of Trautwein in the sixth inning, closing out the win for the Sooners.

The Sooners and the Cowgirls will meet for the third and final game of the regular season series on Saturday at 4 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

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