Oklahoma softball's 48-game winning streak: By the numbers
Oklahoma softball never set out for 2023 to be the season it achieves a 48-game winning streak, but here we are.
The Sooners now stand alone in Division I softball with the longest winning streak, surpassing Arizona’s 47-game mark from 1996-97 with the incredible 8-7 (9 innings) victory against Clemson.
OU is now 56-1 overall as it enters the Women’s College World Series against Stanford at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Sooners are vying for their third straight national championship. Here’s a look at some of the more eye-popping numbers from this 48-game stretch.
OU Hitting
Let’s start with runs. Patty Gasso’s team has accumulated 405 during the streak, averaging just under nine runs per game. Opponents have 47, averaging just under one run.
Oklahoma is hitting .374 as a team and has 11 players batting over .300. The best average belongs to Jordy Bahl at .455, but she only has 22 at bats. As far as an everyday player? It’s Tiare Jennings, hitting .446 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs.
All of Jayda Coleman’s 16 home runs have occurred during the streak, and she’s hitting .430 with a team-leading 57 runs scored.
Kinzie Hansen played hero vs. the Tigers, and her epic three-run home run now puts her in the lead with 53 RBIs during this 48-game stretch.
Patience and discipline have been the calling card for Coleman. But you might be surprised to see Haley Lee in that boat, too. Both have had a team-leading 29 walks during this span.
Add it all up, and it’s a 102-18 home run advantage. It’s a 475-171 hit advantage. Add it all up, and it’s Oklahoma domination.
Pitching/Fielding
Jordy Bahl pitching those final three innings vs. Clemson means she’s the only pitcher to throw more than 100 innings during the streak. Bahl has thrown 101 innings with a 0.76 ERA. She has allowed 54 hits, 12 runs (11 earned) with 131 strikeouts.
Up next is Nicole May. She is 16-0 with a 0.97 ERA. In 87 innings, May has given up 14 runs (12 earned) with 99 strikeouts.
Freshman Kierston Deal has been called upon in a few tight moments, and she’s been ready. She’s 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA in her 20.2 innings.
Even after a few rough outings, Alex Storako is 15-0 with a 1.19 ERA during the streak. She has 91 strikeouts in 88.1 innings.
Team ERA? OU – 0.97. Opponents? An 8.98 ERA. A 341-122 strikeout advantage. That’ll do.
Fielding has paved the way as well, helping the pitchers out. OU has only committed 13 errors compared to 50 from its opponents. Jennings, Coleman, Hansen and Grace Lyons all have a fielding percentage of .990 or better. Coleman has not committed an error the entire time.
That’s how a 48-game winning streak can come together. OU goes for No. 49 vs. Stanford on Thursday.
