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OU Softball: Kelly Maxwell Debuts, Freshmen Shine in Battle Series

Oklahoma started its fall slate of scrimmages on Wednesday night at Marita Hynes Field.
Ryan Chapman|
OU Softball: Kelly Maxwell Debuts, Freshmen Shine in Battle Series
OU Softball: Kelly Maxwell Debuts, Freshmen Shine in Battle Series

NORMAN — Oklahoma softball officially kicked off its slate of fall scrimmages on Wednesday night.

Originally slated to start on Oct. 4, OU’s first scrimmage of the Battle Series was scrapped due to weather.

A number of freshman and transfers instead had to wait another week to make their Sooner debut at Marita Hynes Field.

OU’s roster was divided into three different teams, all hitting for four innings with a unique scoring system.

A pair of true freshman, Kasidi Pickering and Maya Bland, started the traditional scoring with home runs.

Pickering blasted a two-run shot off the arm of Kierston Deal, and Bland drove in fellow freshman Ella Parker with a two-run blast of her own off of veteran pitcher Nicole May.

“Our freshman are really showing well,” OU coach Patty Gasso said. “So I’m really excited about that.

“… They’re athletic. They’re nervous as all get out. I could feel that in some of the newcomers. But they were hitting balls over the fence. Making diving plays. They were really showing their athleticism. And they’re fighting for spots.”

Returning star Alyssa Brito hit the third home run shot of the night, battling against Oklahoma State transfer Kelly Maxwell in the circle.

Brito’s homer was the only run Maxwell gave up on the night, as she allowed two hits and one walk in three innings of action.

Center fielder Jayda Coleman finished off the scoring with a two-RBI double in her final at-bat of the night.

Neither Cydney Sanders or transfer pitcher Karlie Keeney took the field on Wednesday night.

“There was a play at the plate where (Sanders) did something weird yesterday,” Gasso said, though the legendary Oklahoma coach didn’t appear too worried about Sanders missing significant time.

Keeney’s absence will be much more significant.

“I’m so bummed about that,” Gasso said. “She broke her finger. I was really anxious to see her on the mound as well.

“That’s a good example of having somebody just go out with a freak accident, and she’s out for three months.”

Oklahoma will return to Marita Hynes Field again next Wednesday night for another Battle Series scrimmage. 

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is co-publisher at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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