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OU Softball: No. 1 Oklahoma Stays Perfect Against McNeese State

Alyssa Brito uncorked a monster two-run homer in the sixth inning to cap off the Sooners' dominant display at the Cowgirl Challenge.
Ryan Chapman|
OU Softball: No. 1 Oklahoma Stays Perfect Against McNeese State
OU Softball: No. 1 Oklahoma Stays Perfect Against McNeese State

Kelly Maxwell was sensational in her second Oklahoma start, save one pitch.

McNeese State first baseman Corine Poncho took the dominant left-hander for a ride in the first inning, the lone blemish on a sterling performance.

Maxwell rallied, firing eight strikeouts to help the top-ranked Sooners extend their winning streak to 59 games with in an 8-1 romp over the Cowgirls in Lake Charles, LA, on Friday night.

The lead didn’t last long, as Oklahoma (6-0) erased the early 1-0 deficit with more than enough firepower to blow past McNeese State (4-3).

Rylie Boone put the Sooners back on two with a two-RBI single in the second inning, scoring freshmen Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering before OU really asserted itself in the third inning.

A pair of singles to leadoff the third inning from Jayda Coleman and Alyssa Brito brought Tiare Jennings to the plate for Oklahoma.

With 75 career home runs to her name, it’s understandable why McNeese State’s infield hunkered down, preparing for Jennings to try and deliver a knockout punch. Instead, the Sooner slugger laid down a bunt, and the Cowgirls overthrew first, allowing Coleman to score while Jennings reached base safely.

Brito then scored on a wild pitch, moving Jennings to second, and then Ella Parker grounded into a fielder’s choice to again advance Jennings.

Kinzie Hansen then hammered a shot into center field, falling short of the outfield wall but deep enough to score Jennings and extend OU’s lead to 5-1 with the sacrifice fly.

Maxwell retired eight consecutive batters after allowing the first inning home run, as McNeese State finally singled off the veteran left-hander in the fourth inning.

That hit didn’t amount to anything, however, and she continued to cruise in the circle.

Coleman extended OU’s lead to 6-1 with a sacrifice fly to bring Cydney Sanders home in the top of the sixth, adding some extra insurance.

Brito then punctuated the win.

Feasting on new pitcher Brilee Ford, Brito launched a moonshot to left-center field, clearing the bleachers for a two-run blast.

Karlie Keeney entered the contest in the sixth inning for Maxwell, who only allowed three hits and issued no walks in five innings of work.

Keeney surrendered one hit in the sixth and one hit in the seventh, but still recorded the final six outs of the game with relative ease. 

The Sooners will return to action on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Lamar. 

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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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