OU takes opening game vs Tx

[Soonerborn1959]

https://stats.statbroadcast.com/mobile/?id=571950#

The above link is the play by play for anyone interested. Just a few thoughts on the game.

1. When Landry is rolling she is almost unbeatable. However when she gives up a HR or big hit she tends to get rattled and loses that momentum that makes her so good. After the Mia Scott HR with 2 outs in the 4th she struggled in the 5th and 7th.

2. OU had 2 baserunning blunders that actually cost OU 2 extra runs. Pickering in the 2nd after leading off with a single left the base early as she had stolen 2B. Garcia Homered but that left it 1-0 due tothe challenge by White. In the 4th with runners at 2-3 and one out Coors is picked off at 3B and would have scored easily on Parkers fly ball to deep RF. Fortunately it didnt bite OU in the ***.

3. The bats were working today against the Tx number 1 P as they chased her out of the game with a 5 run 3rd inning to go up 6-0.

4. 2 Sooner errors would result in Tx scoring 4 of its 6 runs and both came at the wrong time.

5. Hats off to PG and company as with 2 out and 1B open they opted to walk the Horns best hitter and take the chance with Mitchell. She would fly out to CF to end the game.

Just a side note, Mitchell is from a very small town down the road from where I live. Her town ( Rosebud ) is a very small community here in Arkansas. I dont know her personally but people I work with do and said she is a class act. She just chose the wrong colors to wear.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

Deal delivers on the mound for Sooners tonight as they win game 2 by a 7-2 score. Some more random thoughts but before I do, nothing is better than seeing Horn HC Mike White walk around looking like he has a corn cob up his wazoo. The crowd loves letting him know how they feel about him.

OU now takes over 1st place in the SEC standings.

Scoring summary for OU

1. When I saw that Deal was getting the start I have to admit my confidence level dropped a little. She has had her bright spots this year like against OSU but for the most part she is her own worst enemy as she drops behind the hitters 2-0, 3-1 way to much. Tonight was no different as at one point in the game she had 3-2 counts on 10 of the last 13 hitters I think. This usually works against pitchers more than for them. However she came within 1 pitch of doing something that hasn't been done to Texas they said since 2023 which is to shut them out. The 2 out homer Deal gave up ended that in the 7th but she toughed it out and found a way to get the complete game victory. Final game begins at 1 pm tomorrow as of now.



2. I think Ella Parker has finally found her groove even with the leg injury she has. She delived her first SEC HR of the season today to put OU up 1-0.

3. Below was the stars of the game.

Oklahoma Sooners Offensive Leaders

Player	AB	Highlights
Dayton, A.	2-3	2B, 3 RBI
M-Marinas, N	2-3	HR, 2 RBI
Parker, E.	2-4	HR, 1 RBI
Pickering, K	1-2	2B, 1 RBI

 

[Soonerborn1959]

Sooners sweep Texas but in todays game it didn't come easy. This Texas team may be a team we all dislike due to where they come from but they have fight and have the potential to be very dangerous in the post season. Just a few thoughts to share from today's game.

1. OU was in full control over the first 3 innings as they built an 8-0 lead and looked to be headed to a possible run rule victory today. SP Isabella Smith would go 3 innings but after giving up her first hit of the game PG decided it might be time to lift her. She would bring in Audrey Lowrey who once again showed that she may not yet be ready against this type of competition. She would proceed to give up 4 hits that resulting in the Horns scoring 5 runs off of her. Monticello then came in to try and stop the bleeding and I sometimes wonder why her. Monticello faced 3 batters and did manage to get Texas to record it's first out of the inning. It was evident that PG had decided it was time to bring in Sam Landry to try to stop the momentum. She did get OU out of the inning but in the 5th she gave up the game tying 2 run shot by Stewart.

2. It was like " How did all that just happen" as OU's bullpen couldn't seem to get any Horn player out. It is a testament though to Texas for not caving in like many other teams likely would have. At the same time it shows that OU's pitching just isn't great. One could say a win is a win though and sweeping Texas is a great thing. Emerling's Sacrifice Fly in the 6th would turn out to be the game difference for the Sooners.

For those that didn't watch below is the scoring for this game. OU is now in control of it's own destiny in the SEC year 1. With UF up next all they have to do is win the series to secure the top seed in the conference. I think after the Vols losses to Clemson and one game loss to Ole Miss this weekend that OU is likely to be the new number 1 team in all polls. Good thing or bad thing we will see as it has been somewhat of a curse this year to be at that spot.

Team	Inning	Score summary	TEXAS	OU
	1st	Parker, E. homered to right field, 2 RBI (2-2 BSSBFFFFF); Pickering, K scored.	0	2
	2nd	Garcia, G. homered to right center, 3 RBI (3-2 BFSFBFFBFF); Pickering, K scored; Dayton, A. scored.	0	5
	3rd	Agbayani, A. advanced to third on a passed ball; Sanders, C. scored on a passed ball.	0	6
	3rd	Dayton, A. singled to third base, bunt, RBI (2-1 BKB); Emerling, I. advanced to second; Agbayani, A. scored.	0	7
	3rd	Garcia, G. singled through the right side, RBI (2-1 BKB); Coor, H. advanced to second; Dayton, A. advanced to third; Emerling, I. scored.	0	8
	4th	Atwood singled through the left side, RBI (0-2 KF); Scott advanced to second; Henry advanced to third; Maloney scored.	1	8
	4th	Stewart singled to left field, RBI (0-0); Atwood advanced to second; Scott advanced to third; Henry scored.	2	8
	4th	Mitchell singled to left center, 2 RBI (0-1 F); Stewart advanced to second; Atwood scored; Scott scored.	4	8
	4th	Hunter singled up the middle, RBI (3-1 BBKB); Mitchell advanced to second; Stewart scored.	5	8
	4th	Goode singled through the left side, RBI (1-1 BF); Wallace advanced to second; Mitchell scored.	6	8
	5th	Stewart homered to center field, 2 RBI (0-0); Scott scored.	8	8
	6th	Emerling, I. flied out to cf, SF, RBI (0-0); Milloy, T. out at second cf to 3b to 2b; M-Marinas, N scored.	8	9

 

[OklaBama]

It was a great series. Plenty drama along with good play. This week’s games with Florida is going to be another big test for the pitching staff. Our bats must stay hot.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

OU beats UF 6-5 in extras.

1. Landry was not having a good night on the mound and honestly OU was lucky that UF didn’t take advantage of it. She would walk 6 in the first 3 innings. You could see her control was off. In the end she pitched a complete 9 inning game throwing 167 pitches. In my opinion that is a little to much.

2. OU left to many scoring opportunties on the field and had they come through I think OU would have had another 4-5 runs. Pickering and Parker did have solo HRs.

3. AtM beat Tenn so the Sooners still need to either win tonight or if both teams lose then Sooners clinch this way also. If OU loses and AtM wins again it will all come down to Saturday for the regular SEC champion.

4. Even if OU loses next 2 games I hope PG doesnt use Landry to give her rest for the upcoming post season. At worst OU should be no lower than a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Game begins at 5 tonight I think on SECN

 

[Salt City Sooner]

Vols just took down A&M 5-1, so at the least OU has a share of the title. 1 more win or A&M loss & OU gets it outright.

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

No, it assures OU of the title. A&M has played on less game than the Sooners, So if we end up with the same number of losses, they'll be a half game behind.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

Right now OU is down 5-1 as Deal gave up the grand slam. The secondary pitching is a problem for this team as it doesn’t seem anyone wants to be number 2.

For this reason getting a 5th in a row is going to be a struggle.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

OU loses 9-4 so I guess the big ? Is does PG pitch Landry tomorrow to try to win the series? I was wrong on Landry’s pitch count as it was 144 not 167 as I thought they had said in that Thursday game.

If not Landry who realistically gives OU the best chance to win on the mound tomorrow? What would you do?

I would take my chances and continue to rest Landry and hope whoever is on the mound just has one of those surprising games.

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

I was surprised we weren't run-ruled. We have a group of pitchers that serve up way too many gopher balls, but it's more than that. I'm really not sure how we've gotten to this point, winning the regular season title, but though we make a lot of nice plays on defense, we don't make a lot of plays that are there to be made, but aren't. There was a homer today that we kicked over the fence. That used to be the kind of things that other teams did. There seems to be no outfielder, that can catch a ball that's headed a foot over the fense. I guess four years of all time coverage in center, spoils you. And our girls sometimes make some diving catches on the ground that are nice plays. But every ball that is hit a foot higher than the fence, no matter how high the fence, is a home run.

Tonight, the crucial play in the game wa the high pop to short left center, and it wasn't caught. No matter what the clueless talking heads say, it was absolutely catchable. Without that mistake, the grand slam hitter, never gets to the plate. That changed the game. I wouldn't be surprised if Deal starts tomorrow. I guess we play next Thursday.

I don't think it's possible for this team to win a natty. Games 1 and 2, IF you make it OKC, are back to back days, at least in the past. If so, then we'd have to play a winner's bracket game two the day after a game 1 win. Who will pitch that game? Deal is okay if everything goes good. But if you don't get the homefield strikezone, she's just not good enough. If she does, she can have a little momentum and get some outs.

I think we maybe lost OUr edge today, after the UTenn result came in. That was the fourth team Gator pitcher that they threw at us today. I think she'd pitched three conference games. Maybe we sucked because we didn't have a book on her. She appears to be a decent pitcher. But Florida's pitching depth is something we could envy. I think OUr number one is better than theirs, but whether or not she pitches tomorrow, I don't think we win.

One thing I've learned, even for us at home: the whole league has a homer strike zone. It appears to me that we've gotten our share of breaks in game one of each series. But games two and three, are there to make the home crowd happy.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

I was surprised we weren't run-ruled. We have a group of pitchers that serve up way too many gopher balls, but it's more than that. I'm really not sure how we've gotten to this point, winning the regular season title, but though we make a lot of nice plays on defense, we don't make a lot of plays that are there to be made, but aren't. There was a homer today that we kicked over the fence. That used to be the kind of things that other teams did. There seems to be no outfielder, that can catch a ball that's headed a foot over the fense. I guess four years of all time coverage in center, spoils you. And our girls sometimes make some diving catches on the ground that are nice plays. But every ball that is hit a foot higher than the fence, no matter how high the fence, is a home run.

Tonight, the crucial play in the game wa the high pop to short left center, and it wasn't caught. No matter what the clueless talking heads say, it was absolutely catchable. Without that mistake, the grand slam hitter, never gets to the plate. That changed the game. I wouldn't be surprised if Deal starts tomorrow. I guess we play next Thursday.

I don't think it's possible for this team to win a natty. Games 1 and 2, IF you make it OKC, are back to back days, at least in the past. If so, then we'd have to play a winner's bracket game two the day after a game 1 win. Who will pitch that game? Deal is okay if everything goes good. But if you don't get the homefield strikezone, she's just not good enough. If she does, she can have a little momentum and get some outs.

I think we maybe lost OUr edge today, after the UTenn result came in. That was the fourth team Gator pitcher that they threw at us today. I think she'd pitched three conference games. Maybe we sucked because we didn't have a book on her. She appears to be a decent pitcher. But Florida's pitching depth is something we could envy. I think OUr number one is better than theirs, but whether or not she pitches tomorrow, I don't think we win.

One thing I've learned, even for us at home: the whole league has a homer strike zone. It appears to me that we've gotten our share of breaks in game one of each series. But games two and three, are there to make the home crowd happy.

So much of what you say is true and just take a look at OUs pitching stats inside the SEC only. Outside of Landry ( 2.16 ERA ) the rest of the P staff has been bad. Deal ( 4.49 ) can’t get ahead of hitters to save her life and constantly puts herself in hitters situations. The rest ( all over 6 + ) ERAs are not championship caliber pitchers. We are spoiled as fans but I never envisioned a staff this bad under Gasso.

OU is winning games with offense but even then they are leaving way to many runners on base in scoring position. It is a young team so I think that is some of the issue but to win the SEC regular season title in year one may be one of PG best coaching job ever. Maybe they did get relaxed after knowing they had clinched but I just don’t believe PG would have allowed it.

She had to rest Landry after that 144 pitch game and honestly I think we all knew beating a team like UF with Deal or any other P was going to require some help.

I think you are correct we see Deal again start today and win or lose its the best move to get Landry ready for post season. Maybe Deal has that Oklahoma State game magic.

I just want OU to get back to OKC but a team like NU if they come to Norman regional with Jordy could be a big obstacle. Can they do it? Yes, but the road will be very tough this year.

2025 Softball Cumulative Statistics

The official 2025 Softball cumulative statistics for the University of Oklahoma

soonersports.com

 

[Soonerborn1959]

Plaino

I just want to add something here in regard to your umpire remark. I am not one to lay the blame on them as the HP ump in game 1 of this series was equally bad for both teams. His K zone for both teams was the worst I have seen all season. Even my wife commented on how bad it was.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

Sometimes I cant decide if these official scorers know the difference between a true hit and an obvious error. OU down 1-0 in rubber game but Sanders should have been charged with an error on that ground ball to 1B. Scorer gives the UF hitter a double

 

[Soonerborn1959]

OU loses 6-4 as they got sloppy on D in the bottom of 6 to fall behind 6-2. Landry allowed a HR then proceeded to have a throwing error to 2B that had DP written all over it. She then threw a WP which the combination of the error added in cost the Sooners 2 extra runs.

Garcia did hit a 2 run homer with 1 out to get the Sooners back into the game. OU will face the winner between LSU-MSU on Thursday in the SEC tournament as the top 4 teams get double byes.

Has anyone heard anything about M. Bland? I don’t think she has been used over the past 9 games?

It will be interesting to see who takes over the number 1 ranking as I think it may be Arkansas or A&M since they won their series.

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

We won the conference and swept Arky at their place. I can see A&M as number one, but not Arky. And btw, how did A&M get a schedule that didn't include OU OR Texas? That's nonsense. How can they not play Texas which has been their instate rival for over 100 years?

 

[Soonerborn1959]

We won the conference and swept Arky at their place. I can see A&M as number one, but not Arky. And btw, how did A&M get a schedule that didn't include OU OR Texas? That's nonsense. How can they not play Texas which has been their instate rival for over 100 years?

Good question as I wondered the same thing. Texas didn't play Arkansas either which is as surprising as them not playing the Aggies. Arkansas was number 2 behind us in the last Softball America poll so that is why I believe they will move to number 1. Remember they did beat the Aggies 2-1 in that series.

In fact Arkansas has won six straight SEC series since they got swept by OU. They have become a very dangerous team. I think the only way OU regains that number 1 seed in the tournament will require them to win the SEC tournament. However, at the very least I think OU is seeded no lower than 3rd in the NCAA tournament because they did win the regular season title. You never know though when it comes to the committee.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

SEC Tournament Bracket

Whoever wins the game between LSU - MSU Landry will need to be on her game as both of these teams can hit.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

As I suspected Hogs are new number 1 in Softball America.

https://www.on3.com/softball/team-rankings/