OU Softball: Oklahoma Responds With Emphatic Victory Over Wichita State

Oklahoma catcher Kinzie Hansen drove in three runs as the Sooners got back on track after dropping last weekend's series to Texas.

\ / NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

Oklahoma got exactly the response it was looking for after a tough weekend. 

The top-ranked Sooners jumped out early on Wichita State and never looked back. 

Catcher Kinzie Hansen led the way by driving in three runs as OU run-ruled the Shockers 7-0 at Wilkins Stadium on Tuesday night. 

The Sooners moved to 36-3 on the year with the win in Wichita, KS, while Wichita State dropped to 18-15 with the defeat. 

Final Box Score /

Patty Gasso’s team wasted no time. 

Jayda Coleman drew a leadoff walk and then quickly found herself on second base after a passed ball. 

The extra 60 feet allowed Coleman to score off Alyssa Brito’s double, giving the Sooners a 1-0 lead after the first three batters. 

Freshman Ella Parker drew a walk herself, and Hansen plated Brito and moved Parker to third with a double of her own. 

Kasidi Pickering bounced into a fielder’s choice to make the second out of the inning, but the Shockers allowed Parker to score to throw out Pickering, giving OU a 3-0 lead 

The Sooners did more damage in the second inning.

Avery Hodge laid down a bunt and beat out the throw for a single, and walks by Rylie Boone and Coleman quickly loaded the bases. 

Tiare Jennings drew OU’s third-straight walk, extending the lead to 4-0 and prompting Wichita State coach Kristi Bredbenner to withdraw starting pitcher Lauren Howell in favor of left-hander Alison Cooper. 

Oklahoma’s weekend struggles against Texas’ lefties quickly became a thing of the past. 

Brito flew out to right field to bring Boone home, and Hansen cleared the bases with a double to push the lead to 7-0.

While the offense marched around the bases, OU left-hander Kierston Deal cruised. 

After giving up a leadoff single, Deal retired 13-straight Shocker batters, and she ended the night with nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of action. 

Karlie Keeney entered the game for Deal with one out in the sixth inning. 

She closed out the game, allowing three hits while recording three strikeouts of her own. 

Hansen’s pair of doubles concluded her night, as Gasso brought Riley Ludlam in off the bench to relieve her senior captain. 

Brito also had a nice night at the plate, finishing 2-of-3 with two RBIs and Avery Hodge ended the game with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate including a seventh inning double. 

Oklahoma returns to Big 12 play this weekend as the Sooners host BYU at Love’s Field for a three-game series starting on Thursday.