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OU Softball: Oklahoma Tramples California, Strolls Into Super Regionals

The Sooners launched four home runs in the first inning to dismantle California in the Regional Final on Sunday.
Ryan Chapman|
OU Softball: Oklahoma Tramples California, Strolls Into Super Regionals
OU Softball: Oklahoma Tramples California, Strolls Into Super Regionals

NORMAN — The NCAA Tournament chaos didn’t make it to Norman this weekend.

As national seeds struggled around the country, No. 1 Oklahoma blasted its way past California to breeze into next week’s Super Regionals.

The Sooners belted four home runs in the first inning, strolling to a 16-3 win over the Golden Bears in five innings at Marita Hynes Field on Sunday.

“The team came in ready,” OU coach Patty Gasso said after the game. “We knew that this is a day that a lot of teams' seasons end today and we just decided it wouldn't be ours today.”

Tiare Jennings, Alyssa Brito, Cydney Sanders and Jocelyn Erickson all launched bombs, helping OU extend its wining streak to 46 games.

Oklahoma will head to Super Regionals with a 54-1 record, and California’s season ended at 35-21-1.

Golden Bears pitcher Haylei Archer actually found a small bit of success to start the game.

The right-hander fanned OU star center fielder Jayda Coleman in the first at-bat of the game, but then the avalanche began.

Oklahoma responded with six straight hits, including the four long balls, to quickly open up a 6-0 lead before recording another out.

Jennings struck first. She didn’t make great contact, but her strength powered the ball into the right field bleachers to put the Sooners on top 1-0.

“Jennings was such a great start for us,” Gasso said. “… They came out and punched really quickly and just kind of kept it going throughout the entire game, all parts of the game were working well for us.”

The jubilant atmosphere in the stadium spilled into the dugout throughout the first inning rally, fueling the Sooners from the start.

“It felt like a party, honestly,” Brito said. “It was super fun. And everyone had really great energy.”

The top of the first inning took so long, nearly 30 minutes, that OU starting pitcher Alex Storako ran from the dugout to the bullpen to stay warm.

Still, Storako was ready as she quickly worked through the first inning.

Life wasn’t as easy for Jennings in the second.

The Sooner second baseman had to foul off a few pitches, battling to a full count before uncorking her second homer to right field of the day, pushing the lead to 7-0.

OU’s first inning display merely served as the appetizer for a third inning parade.

Oklahoma racked up seven runs on seven hits. Gasso got an RBI-double from Coleman, a two-RBI double from Jennings and a three-run shot from Brito while Kinzie Hansen scored thanks to heads up base running after a throwing error from California catcher Kacey Zobac.

The Sooners didn’t rest on the lead, continuing to batter Cal’s pitchers even with the game already in hand.

“I just try to remind them to not get complacent,” Gasso said. “You could just get bored and kind of sit on a score. To make every opportunity you can to help make you better. To help make this team better.

“Don't waste opportunities because we're ahead. Just keep going. And they did a good job of that.”

California tacked on three runs in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of a pair of two-out singles from Zobac and Sona Halajian, and Gasso brought Nicole May in the circle.

Storako pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and a walk while also striking out one batter.

May got out of the inning with no problem, and the Sooners did more damage in the sixth inning.

Shortstop Grace Lyons got a run back with a sacrifice fly to plate Alynah Torres, and then Quincee Lilio extended the lead back out to 16-3 with an RBI-single.

Torres and Lilio were just two of the multiple lineup changes Gasso made in the third inning, but OU’s offensive machine kept humming.

Left-hander Kierston Deal got the call to close out the game in the circle for the Sooners, and the true freshman had no trouble officially firing the Sooners into Super Regionals.

Jennings finished a perfect 4-of-4 at the plate, and Lee, Brito and Hansen all went 2-for-3 as OU's offense fired on all cylinders.

The approach was simple but effective for Jennings, as she totaled four RBIs on the day.

“For me, it’s just keep swinging hard,” she said. “Getting a good pitch and driving it.

“I think our whole lineup did a pretty good job of that, seeing the ball over the plate and making adjustments.”

OU’s six home runs on the day tied an NCAA Tournament record. It was the third time Oklahoma has smashed six bombs in one contest, and the sixth time in the history of the tournament.

The Sooners will be home next weekend as well, as they’ll the 16-seeded Clemson Tigers in Super Regional action next weekend at Marita Hynes Field. 

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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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