All Sooners

OU Softball: Through Errors and Delays, Oklahoma's Firepower Prevailed

The Sooners weren't perfect on Wednesday night, but Patty Gasso's squad found yet another way to win.

Ross Lovelace

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has been a dominant force all season long. For a team that has lost a single game in 61 outings, perfection is almost the expectation.

Wednesday night, though, it looked like things could go south in a hurry.

Oklahoma wasn’t quite perfect to start the Women's College World Series Championship Series against Florida State, but the team battled through threatening weather and uncharacteristic errors to find a way to take down the Seminoles with ease, 5-0. 

The Sooners (60-1) are now just a game away from an almost incomprehensible three-peat.

"The rain situation and all of the lightning and so forth kind of put a wrench in it," head coach Patty Gasso said. "So it felt like a little bit of rushing. It was just uncharacteristic of what the beginning of a championship series would feel like, watching all the fans go in and out.

"It's a big moment. Everybody wants to see it. So I think we started off a little bit nervous. We had a little conversation as a group. They decided we need to be more like us and stop trying. We don't try hard, we just play. We were trying hard. You can see the difference."

After a lengthy lightning delay to start the game, the Sooners found momentum early behind a quick first frame. Jordy Bahl made quick work of Florida State’s first three batters, giving Oklahoma momentum heading into the dugout. That momentum was interrupted in a hurry with … another weather delay.

It was already a less-than-ideal start, simply due to the chaotic nature of the afternoon. After a 64-minute lightning delay before the game, it’s hard to loosen up after another 43-minute delay — especially after expecting to take the field on two different occasions. Anything to throw OU off its game seemed to bode in favor of the Seminoles.

Through the first three innings, the Sooners netted just one hit and Mack Leonard looked to be in a serious zone on the mound. She was giving Oklahoma fits, and with the Seminoles (58-10) opting not to pitch Kathryn Sandercock, the team’s All-American ace, it looked like trouble for the No. 1 seed.

On top of the unpredictable weather, Oklahoma’s defensive output was a bit unpredictable too. Usually when the Sooners struggle to find momentum behind the bats, the defense holds steady providing protection. Coming into the matchup, Patty Gasso’s squad had recorded just two errors in the last 13 games combined.

After Florida State’s turn through the order in the top of the fourth inning, Oklahoma already had two errors halfway through the game. The uncharacteristic play was simply not a representation of the dominant season, and if Florida State was bound to strike — it felt like the game to do so.

Alyssa Brito gathers the ball off the ground after an error.
Alyssa Brito gathers the ball off the ground after an error :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

Gasso’s Sooners committed just 16 errors all season, and the team never topped a total of two in over 60 games. In every game at the Women’s College World Series, Oklahoma was completely error free. The two early mishaps — only one from the infield, the other from Bahl — certainly threw off the rhythm of the game.

The Sooners found a way, though. 

Alyssa Brito’s early error rallied the team towards a run. From that point on, the infield’s defense was locked in, as displayed by Grace Lyons and Tiare Jennings executing a flawless 6-4-3 double-play.

Tiare Jennings celebrates after a double play.
Tiare Jennings celebrates after a double play :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

"Once they got their feet on the ground, just kind of took off, hit the ball hard," Gasso said. "Really started hitting the ball hard. Jordy again was just absolutely exceptional.

"Proud of how we turned that switch really quickly. Then from that moment on, we just were back to our old selves."

Jordy Bahl couldn't field this ball up the line.
Jordy Bahl couldn't field this ball up the line :: John E. Hoover / AllSooners

When the bottom of the fourth inning came around, the inevitable run ensued. Haley Lee was hit by a pitch leading off, giving the Sooners a free runner on base and the crowd had something to cheer about. Kinzie Hansen’s rocket to left center brought Jordy Bahl, who was pinch running for Lee, flying around the bases and all the way home.

The run didn’t end there, though. Brito singled to right field scoring Hansen, and Alynah Torres’ head-first dive into first base caused an errant overthrow allowing another run across the plate. In all, the Sooners netted three runs in the frame and never looked back.

The fifth and the sixth inning brought about more of the same, as the Sooners added a run in both frames and stayed away from any potential errors.

In a game that could’ve gotten dicey, Oklahoma ended up dominating. The Sooners outhit the Seminoles 9-2, Ball threw 10 strikeouts to Florida State’s team total of two and Gasso’s team outscored its opponent 5-0.

After overcoming two lengthy weather delays and an uncharacteristic error-filled start, the Sooners responded with a commanding Game 1 victory. Now, Oklahoma is one win away from another National Championship.

"To me, I love hitting, pitching, but I love great defense," Gasso said. "I still think defense wins championships."

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Ross Lovelace
ROSS LOVELACE

Experience Ross is a young, up-and-coming sports reporter who has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Sooners over the past six years. He's made guest appearances on various radio stations and has helped out with the All Sooners podcast whenever he gets the chance. Ross enjoys public speaking and has done so at multiple churches and high schools across the OKC metro area. In addition to writing, Ross has been the Play-by-Play announcer for Crossings’ basketball and football programs since 2020. In high school, Ross worked for self-starter blogs and latched onto Thunder Digest, where he discovered his passion for writing. From there, he worked for the OU Daily as a women's basketball reporter and was hired by All Sooners. Ross landed an internship with Sports Illustrated's Inside the Thunder and has since become a full-time contributor. One day, Ross hopes to work in the NBA. Work History Education Ross holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. Personal Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ross played basketball and wrote for his own Thunder blog at Crossings High School in OKC, OK. He enjoys reading, New York Jets football and a week at the beach. Ross is engaged to be married at the end of the year. His Twitter handle is @Rosslovelace.

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