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OU Softball: No. 1 Oklahoma Cruises Past Central Arkansas to Cap Perfect Weekend

The Sooners did most of their damage in the third inning, extending their record winning streak to 62 games.

Ryan Chapman

OU Softball: No. 1 Oklahoma Cruises Past Central Arkansas to Cap Perfect Weekend
OU Softball: No. 1 Oklahoma Cruises Past Central Arkansas to Cap Perfect Weekend /

Oklahoma’s perfect start to the season continued at the McNeese State Cowgirl Challenge.

The top-ranked Sooners notched their fifth win of the weekend, powering past Central Arkansas 8-0 in five innings in Lake Charles, LA, on Sunday morning.

A six-run third inning was all the separation OU needed, as Jayda Coleman finished off the run rule in the bottom of the fifth inning.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Coleman drew a walk to seal the victory.

Cydney Sanders opened the scoring for the Sooners in bottom of the second inning.

Tiare Jennings and Kinzie Hansen reached base, setting up the OU first baseman. Sanders rocketed a single back up the middle, bringing her teammates home to put the Sooners up 2-0.

The offense then exploded in the third inning.

Coleman, back in the lead off spot after hitting down in the lineup on Saturday, reached base on an infield single to start off the frame.

Alyssa Brito then continued her outstanding weekend, doubling to the wall to bring Coleman all the way home. 

Designated player Riley Ludlum stepped in, singling through the left side to plate Brito and extend the lead to 4-0.

Jennings cleared the bases, blasting a two-run shot to the deepest part of the park to put OU up 6-0.

Hansen and Boone both grounded out, then Patty Gasso dove into the bench.

She called upon true freshman Ella Parker to pinch hit for Sanders, and Parker immediately paid off Gasso’s faith.

Parker connected on the first pitch she saw, delivering a solo shot of her own, building the advantage to 7-0.

The strong offensive output took the pressure off OU’s pitching staff, not that the help was needed.

Paytn Monticelli got the start, and she struck out three batters while issuing one walk and allowing one hit in two innings of work.

Gasso then turned to SJ Geurin, who continued to cruise.

She retired all eight batters she faced, striking out a pair of batters in 2 2/3 innings.

Kelly Maxwell came out of the bullpen in the fifth inning to keep the shutout rolling.

Coleman’s walk then ended the game in the fifth, allowing Oklahoma to focus on a big weekend ahead.

The Sooners are headed back out to the West Coast to head to the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, starting on Friday against Mississippi State. 

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is managing editor 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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