OU softball has its 'get right' game, blanks Wichita State
Nobody was really wondering about the outcome for OU softball Tuesday night. Even if the Sooners didn’t bring their best game, they could find a way to win at Wichita State.
But it was about mindset. A three-run first and a four-run second might have fans backing off that ledge again in a 7-0 victory against the Shockers.
It’s pretty irrelevant that OU dropped to No. 2 in some of the polls this week. Texas, after winning two of three vs. OU, jumped to No. 1. April rankings, just like February and March, don’t mean much of anything.
It was the manner in which the Sooners lost that could be an actual cause for concern, which made Tuesday night a game where Patty Gasso’s group could get back on track.
Leading the way was senior co-captain Kinzie Hansen, who had two hits and drove in three runs. Gasso went to the bench in waves after the seven runs in the first two innings.
After giving up a leadoff hit, Kierston Deal was virtually unstoppable. She retired the next 13 batters before hitting a batter. She had seven strikeouts during that barrage. Deal (8-0) finished with nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings and didn’t walk a single batter. Karlie Keeney came in relief and struck out three in 1.2 innings.
Alyssa Brito came through with a couple of RBIs, too. But it was the OU patience. The Texas series was the first time OU had more strikeouts than walks. Tuesday was back to what everybody knows.
OU drew six walks and struck out five times, but most coming late in the game.
Up next
It’s time to come home, back to Love’s Field. After back-to-back conference weekends on the road, home sweet home. OU (36-3 overall, 13-2 Big 12) welcomes BYU to Norman for a three-game set from Thursday-Saturday. The Sooners are still in first place in the conference. But it’s now just a one-game lead over Oklahoma State (12-3) and a two-game edge on UT (11-4).
