OU Softball: Oklahoma Clinches Share of Big 12 Title With Smothering Win Over Kansas

The Sooners shelled the Jayhawks in the first inning to dominate Kansas on Saturday afternoon.

NORMAN — Oklahoma wasted no time laying claim to some more silverware on Saturday.

The Sooners batted around in the first inning, routing the Kansas Jayhawks 14-0 in five innings at Marita Hynes Field.

With the win, OU clinched a share of the program’s 11th-straight Big 12 regular season title.

Oklahoma also extended its winning streak to 36 games, moving to a dominant 44-1 overall this year while the Jayhawks fell to 22-23.

"As a group this was one of our best, cleanest, most complete games we've had in a while," OU coach Patty Gasso said after the win. "So I'm really, really proud of this team. And their energy is infectious. They root for each other. It was just really a fun game to watch, be a part of."

Nicole May continued her career year in the circle, allowing no hits and striking out four Kansas batters across four innings. 

Cydney Sanders opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, driving home Jayda Colman with an RBI-single.

Alyssa Brito then singled to bring Tiare Jennings all the way home from second before Haley Lee cleared the bases to put Oklahoma up 4-0.

Kinzie Hansen’s single put runners on the corners and brought up the nine-hole hitter, Rylie Boone.

The star left fielder took three straight balls, and then thought she had drawn a walk on the fourth pitch of the at-bat.

Hansen agreed, and started toward second but the pitch was called a strike. Kansas catcher Lyric Moore threw down to first to try and capitalize, but she missed everything and sent the ball dribbling down the right field line.

Lee casually stole home, and Boone got her walk on the next pitch.

The mistake proved costly.

Coleman stepped back in and smacked a two-out home run to cap off the inning and put the Sooners up 8-0.

"You put eight on somebody in the first inning, it's quite demoralizing," Gasso said. "And they went after it hard. They really wanted to keep passing the bat and set the tone early.

"And then just kind of kept hitting up the scoreboard along the way. So I was really excited to see that."

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤-𝐭𝐨-𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 games with a J Cole blast 🚀@jaydac00 | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/7zrV8UhOFE

— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 29, 2023

A pair of nice defensive plays stole the show int he second and third innings.

Brito dove forward at third base to pluck a ball just before it dove into the dirt in the second, and Grace Lyons continued her shutdown work at shortstop in the third.

Kansas right fielder Hailey Cripe smashed what should have been a hit into the gap, but Lyons backpedaled to dig the ball out and throw Cripe out for the first out of the inning.

"It's becoming routine," Gasso said. "And nothing about what they're doing is routine. I think there are hard plays for Major League Baseball players or anybody else who's an elite infielder. 

"Brito's play was just off the charts and Grace, you're watching it and you're like, 'no way. She's gonna beat it. This runner is gonna beat it.' And (Lyons) gets it there every time."

While Gasso is able to take a step back and appreciate the defensive clinic her infield puts on every day, May has a different view from the pitching circle. 

"I'm kind of different than coach," May said. "... I'm over here thinking that she's already out. 

"... I would be more surprised if she was safe, if that makes sense... There's a lot of trust in my defense. That makes things easier."

Hansen then did more damage in the bottom of the third.

With Jocelyn Erickson already on second, Hansen lined a ball into the second row in center field, pushing the lead to 10-0.

And 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤-𝐭𝐨-𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 games with a K9 homer 🐾

END 3 | OU 11, KU 0 | @kinziehansen pic.twitter.com/jqBPgIr9HV

— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 29, 2023

A sacrifice-fly for Jennings later in the frame plated Boone as the OU offense continued to pile on.

In the fourth inning, Grace Green celebrated her Senior Weekend in style. 

Playing in her penultimate regular season contest at Marita Hynes Field, Green smashed a three-run shot, sending the Sooners pouring out of the dugout to celebrate the fan favorite. 

Do ya thing, 𝟐𝟏‼️ @grace_10_green

END 4 | OU 14, KU 0 | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/6AIiDgCiM4

— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 29, 2023

Up 14-0, Kierston Deal took over for May in the fifth inning to close out the win and complete the combined no-hitter.  

The Sooners can clinch sole possession of the Big 12 title on Sunday with another win over the Jayhawks in the final game of the series.

Oklahoma’s regular season home finale will begin at 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

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