Kelly Maxwell dazzles once again for OU softball
There’s consistency, and then there’s whatever OU softball pitcher Kelly Maxwell has been doing lately for the Sooners.
One Friday after another. One dominant outing after another. It did not stop on this Friday night at Central Florida.
OU scored early and let Maxwell do the rest on its way to a 10-2 victory against host UCF in the first of the final three road games of the season.
Something we’ve seen quite a bit in Big 12 play when OU is visiting is the Sooners jumping out to the early start. You knew UCF was going to come out fired up after only scoring one run in a three-game sweep vs. Baylor last weekend.
The way you stop any momentum from forming is by making the early statement. OU did exactly that with a five-spot in the top of the first. The key hits were a two-run single by Kasidi Pickering, and then a two-run home run by Alyssa Brito.
Maxwell with a 1-0 lead is dangerous enough. Give her a five-spot cushion? Just let her work. Maxwell actually gave up a lot of hits (8) but worked her way to another fine outing.
Maxwell went 6.1 innings, allowing the one run with two walks and five strikeouts. Karlie Keeney came in for the final two outs.
Jayda Coleman added some insurance with a solo home run in the third inning, the first of her two RBIs.
The Sooners also had a very strange night on defense, committing three errors. But Maxwell never had trouble getting out of any of those jams.
OU officially put the game away with a four-run top of the seventh. The Sooners’ patience was on display, scoring two of those runs via bases loaded walks. It’s something head coach Patty Gasso has talked about all season is the patience at the plate.
Up next
The three-game set at UCF continues. No. 2 OU (43-4 overall, 19-3 Big 12) looks for the series victory Saturday afternoon. Sunday is also set for a very early start at 10 a.m.
