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OU Softball: Oklahoma 'Taking it Slow' With C Kinzie Hansen Ahead of Big 12 Tournament

The OU catcher exited Friday's Bedlam opener after her hand got hit by a pitch against Oklahoma State.

Ryan Chapman

As Oklahoma turns its attention toward postseason, the Sooners are close to full strength.

Last year, star pitcher Jordy Bahl’s arm injury was a major storyline throughout OU’s tournament run.

This year, all eyes are on catcher Kinzie Hansen, who exited last Friday’s Bedlam contest after wearing a pitch on her hand.

Hansen was present at batting practice ahead of Saturday’s contest against Oklahoma State, but the All-Big 12 First Team selection didn’t appear for the rest of the series.

Wednesday, OU coach Patty Gasso said they’re approaching Hansen’s injury with an abundance of caution, but that she’s working her way back into practice.

“We’re just really taking it slow there and trying to give her rest,” Gasso said. “Certainly don’t want to use her unnecessarily or even at practice if we’re going to hurt anything more.

“So feels good. She took swings today, so good start.”

This season Hansen is hitting .402, blasting 10 home runs and driving in 43 RBIs, which is nine RBIs behind team leader Tiare Jennings despite Hansen only playing in 37 of the Sooners’ 50 games.

Hansen’s right arm is also a weapon, as opposing base runners always have to think twice stealing on OU’s impact catcher.

Though Gasso and the Sooners will want Hansen back to open postseason play on Friday, depth is at catcher is one of OU’s strengths.

Fellow All-Big 12 First Team selection Haley Lee stepped in and caught the final two games against the Cowgirls last week, and sophomore Sophia Nugent is also an option for Gasso behind the plate.

In the circle, the Oklahoma pitching staff is healthy as well.

Gasso has spread the work this year across four pitchers, JordyBahl, Alex Storako, Nicole May and Kierston Deal. Bahl has pitched the most, logging 105 2/3 innings, meaning all four arms should be fresh for OU.

“They’re healthy,” Gasso said. “No one is complaining about any kind of issues at all. So that is a big plus for us.”

Oklahoma has confidence throwing all four of its pitchers, especially after Deal’s performance in the Sooners’ comeback victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday, adding yet another arm opposing teams will have to prepare for when facing OU this postseason.

The Big 12 Tournament will start on Friday for Oklahoma, as the top-seeded Sooners had a bye for Thursday’s opening day action.

OU will meet the winner of Baylor and Iowa State at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City at 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU. 

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is deputy editor at AllSooners 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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