OU Softball: No. 1 Oklahoma Trounces Louisiana, Extends Winning Streak to 70
NORMAN — Oklahoma was back to business as usual to kick off the program’s second day at Love’s Field.
After learning their new surroundings, including a dramatic ballpark opener, the top-ranked Sooners jumped out on Louisiana early.
Three RBI-doubles in the first inning set the tone as OU blasted past the Ragin’ Cajuns 8-0 in five innings.
Alyssa Brito and Tiare Jennings tallied two RBIs apiece to help the Sooners continue their perfect start on the season, as they’re now 17-0, extending the program’s winning streak to 70-straight games.
Louisiana fell to 8-11 on the year in defeat.
Final Box Score
OU Stats
Left-handed pitcher Kierston Deal got the start for Oklahoma, and outside of a two-out walk, made quick work of the visitors in the first inning.
That allowed Oklahoma’s lineup to start rolling.
Rylie Boone, back in the leadoff spot on Saturday, reached on an error, but was thrown out at second when freshman Kasidi Pickering hit into a fielder’s choice.
Pickering had plenty of speed though, as she went from first all the way home on Brito’s first double of the day into left-center field.
Brito’s teammates then followed her lead.
Ella Parker and Tiare Jennings both doubled off the wall to virtually the same spot, driving home another pair of runs to give OU a 3-0 lead after one inning.
Louisiana didn’t fare much better in the second inning.
Riley Ludlam, who started at first base, bounced a ball off the top of the wall and into the bleachers in right field for a leadoff home run, then Jayda Coleman and Boone reached on back-to-back singles.
Brito increased the lead to 5-0 with her second RBI double of the day, and Parker drew a walk to load the bases.
Patty Gasso went to her bench, calling upon Avery Hodge to pinch hit for Alynah Torres, and Hodge stared at four straight balls to bring another run home.
Jennings put the Sooners on top 6-0 with a sacrifice fly, caping off the four-run frame.
The third inning was highlighted by Oklahoma’s defense.
Deal loaded the bases with no outs, but Gasso let the sophomore play through the adversity.
Right fielder Hannah Coor made the first nice play to help Deal out, charging on a shallow popup and laying out to make the diving catch. Louisiana’s runners were forced to stay put, keeping the bases loaded without any runs coming across home plate.
Gasso took a second to bring the infield in and discuss the situation, but she stuck with Deal.
After throwing a pair of balls, Deal induced a slow bouncer from Alexa Langeliers, finding Hodge. The sophomore stepped on second and rocketed the ball over to first, beating Langeliers to the bag and ending the threat with a double play.
Brito’s excellent outing continued in the fourth.
She led the inning off with her third double of the day, and after taking third on a wild pitch, was brought home when true freshman Maya Bland hit into a double play.
The eight runs were all Oklahoma needed to run rule Louisana, as Paytn Monticelli came into the circle to close out the win.
Louisiana got a pair of singles off Monticelli, but was unable to cash in on the baserunners, merely prolonging the end result.
Deal allowed three hits and two walks, striking out two batters in four innings of action.
Brito finished a perfect 3-for-3, the perfect start to OU's second day at Love's Field.
Saturday will continue for the Sooners, however.
At 1:45 p.m., Oklahoma will return to action against Liberty.
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