All Sooners

OU Softball: Oklahoma Powers Past Stanford Behind Big Second Inning

The Sooners plated four runs with two outs in the second inning to down the Stanford Cardinal at the Mark Campbell Invitational on Friday night.
Ryan Chapman|
OU Softball: Oklahoma Powers Past Stanford Behind Big Second Inning
OU Softball: Oklahoma Powers Past Stanford Behind Big Second Inning

Oklahoma’s bats came alive on Friday night.

After scoring a combined five runs against Duke and Liberty on Thursday, OU rode a four-run second inning to stay undefeated on Friday night.

Michigan transfer pitcher Alex Storako didn’t need any more run support, as the Sooners dispatched of the No. 14-ranked Stanford Cardinal 10-1 in six innings at the Mark Campbell Invitational in Irvine, CA.

In the first inning, it looked as if OU (3-0) was going to repeat its offensive struggles from Thursday, when the Sooners stranded baserunner after baserunner.

Tiare Jennings’ single was wasted, as Oklahoma couldn’t generate any further offense in the first frame.

But a two-out walk from Rylie Boone changed the complexion of the game in the bottom of the second.

Arizona State transfer Alynah Torres rocketed a ball into the gap in left field, bringing Boone all the way home from first base.

True freshman Jocelyn Erickson followed Torres up with a hard-hit single, doubling the Sooner lead.

Center fielder Jayda Coleman then drew a walk, putting runners on first and second for Jennings’ second at-bat.

The star second baseman again delivered, roping a ball over Stanford right fielder Kaitlyn Lim’s head to clear the bases and extend the lead to 4-0, firing up the OU dugout in the process.

Jennings’ double appeared to be a release of frustration for Oklahoma, as the Sooners combined to hit 4-of-19 with runners in scoring position against Duke and Liberty on Thursday.

With four runs in the bag, Storako grew in confidence.

Making her first appearance as a Sooner, the super senior’s rise ball kept the Cardinal hitters off balance all night.

Storako struck out six Stanford batters, surrendering just three hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings.

Cardinal catcher Aly Kaneshiro did blast a solo shot off of Storako in the top of the fourth inning, which was the first run the OU pitching staff has allowed this season.

Oklahoma’s offense came up clutch again in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Third baseman Alyssa Brito added three RBIs with a bases-clearing double, putting the Sooners up 7-1.

Brito’s hit was a massive improvement over OU’s offensive output against Liberty on Thursday, when Oklahoma’s batters were unable to generate any offense after loading the bases with no outs in the third inning against the Flames.

Patty Gasso then gave Jordy Bahl a chance to end the game at the plate.

Needing just two runs to force a run rule, Bahl dug in with runners on second and third.

She tacked on one of the two necessary runs after grounding into a fielder’s choice, and then Stanford made an excellent diving stop in the field to send the game to the sixth inning down 8-1.

Haley Lee ended the game in emphatic fashion in the bottom of the sixth, blasting a two-run home run for OU’s first long ball of the season.

Jennings finished the contest a perfect 3-of-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Brito also ended with three RBIs on a 1-of-2 performance at the plate, as the third baseman also drew a walk.

Oklahoma returns to action on Saturday at 9 p.m. against the No. 16-ranked Washington Huskies in a rematch of the 2021 Norman Super Regional. The game will be broadcast on FloSoftball.

Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the AllSooners message board community today!

Sign up for your premium membership to AllSooners.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network!

Follow AllSooners on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest OU news.

Get your OU tickets from SI Tickets HERE.

Published
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. 

Share on XFollow _RyanChapman
Home/Softball