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Sam Landry throws gem to power Oklahoma to Super Regional opening win

by: Jason Rhea05/23/25
Screenshot 2025-05-23 at 4.22.43 PM
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Athletics

Sam Landry dazzled and Kasidi Pickering provided the power as Oklahoma won the first game of the Norman Super Regional over Alabama 3-0. Landry scattered four hits over her seven innings of action for her 23rd victory of the season. Pickering slammed her 18th home run of the season, which is tied for the team lead with Gabbie Garcia.

Similar to their earlier matchups in April, pitching took center stage. Landry and Jocelyn Briski went toe-to-toe in the first two and a half innings. Both were able to navigate their way out of trouble. However, it was the Sooners that were able to break through in the bottom of the third inning. After a leadoff walk induced by Abigale Dayton, Kasidi Pickering nailed the very next pitch over the center field wall for a two-run home run to give Oklahoma the 2-0 lead.

The inning could have been much more damaging for Alabama and Briski. Ella Parker hit a ball up the middle for the second hit in the inning. Alabama’s Abby Duchscherer made a nice play on a Sydney Barker grounder to first base and touched the bag and threw to second for the double play. Garcia got the Sooners’ third hit of the inning, but Nelly McEnroe-Marinas grounded out to end the threat.

Much like the third inning, Dayton kick-started the Oklahoma rally. This time with a double in the left-center gap. Briski was able to retire Pickering and Parker on a pair of fly outs. However, Barker took a Briski pitch the other way to score Dayton to give Oklahoma a 3-0 lead. Kali Heivilin made an outstanding play on a Garcia screamer to end the Sooner threat to head to the 6th inning.

The story of the game for the Crimson Tide was missed opportunities. Alabama had runners on base every inning except for the seventh inning. However, they were not able to deliver a key hit to truly threaten the Sooners with runners in scoring position.

Comparatively, Landry was masterful in stranding runners all game long. She used her change and drop to escape jams throughout the game. Ironically, the seventh inning was her cleanest inning of the game, where she didn’t allow a baserunner. Overall, the senior threw 108 pitches, struck out five in the complete game shutout.

The Sooners are one game away from keeping the dreams alive for a fifth straight National Championship and another trip to the Women’s College World Series. Conversely, Alabama will be looking to extend to a game three in a win-or-go-home scenario. First pitch for Game Two is scheduled for 2:00 PM Central Time.

More from Softball America:

Super Regional Coverage
Coaching Carousel Discussion Board
Transfer Portal Wire

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