OU softball sends early-series statement at Texas
Another Friday, another dominant outing from OU pitcher Kelly Maxwell. Another Friday, another clutch performance by senior Jayda Coleman.
OU softball head coach Patty Gasso and players talked about how fired up they were to play Texas. And they were ready, dominating the first game with a 5-2 victory Friday night in Austin.
The confidence for Maxwell has been increasing with each Friday night performance and this might have been her best yet, at least through the first six innings. One hit allowed with 10 strikeouts.
But then Texas mounted a charge in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring two runs. The Horns brought the tying run to the plate, but it was another nice OU defensive play to wrap it up. And Maxwell never flinched.
A groundball that deflected off Alyssa Brito, and Tiare Jennings was ready to make the play from shortstop and secure the victory.
Maxwell is now 11-0 this season. She threw 114 pitches and tied her season high with those 10 strikeouts.
Offensively, Coleman was one of the best players in the country last weekend and kept it going against the Longhorns. She drove in one run on a single in the third. And then she put the separation with a three-run bomb in the fifth.
She is simply seeing the ball so well and waiting for her pitch. That patience has been paying off for the team all season.
OU’s defense was up to par, while UT gave the Sooners some extra chances. And OU took advantage.
Senior catcher Kinzie Hansen was back behind the plate for the full game. She had a hit and scored a run.
Rylie Boone had two hits and scored twice.
Still to come
The Red River Rivalry continues 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. All games this weekend are on TV, with the final game 1 p.m. Sunday on Longhorn Network. OU is now 35-1 overall, 13-0 in Big 12 and riding a nation-leading 17-game winning streak.
