OU softball takes care of Houston to begin three-game set
If you know one thing about the OU softball series with Houston, it’s that it is shaping up to be an offensive series.
The Sooners showed up in the first game. Kelly Maxwell made sure the Cougars didn’t do the same. A dominant performance across the board in a 8-0 six-inning, run-rule victory for OU against visiting Houston on Friday at Love’s Field.
“Good. We’re moving in the right direction,” head coach Patty Gasso said. “I can feel that. Some things are starting to become al little bit easier, less pressed. Still got some things to work on. They all agree with that, I assume. Defense, outstanding. Pitching, outstanding. Everything’s there. For us, it’s more like timely hitting and those big clutch moments.”
Houston has played in some long games this season, some wild and high scoring games. But Maxwell was able to keep the Cougars at bay. And the OU offense was ready to go from the jump.
Leading the charge was Alynah Torres. UH was attempting to get out of the first inning unscathed when Torres blasted a three-run home run with two outs.
It set the tone for the evening. And you give Maxwell that type of advantage, and she’s usually not going to look back.
Torres drove in four runs and continues to be accepting of the platooning role at second base with Avery Hodge. Torres gets her chance? She is making the most of it. It something head coach Patty Gasso has mentioned repeatedly about how much she appreciates their attitudes.
It was senior Jayda Coleman with the walk-off single in the bottom of the sixth.
As for Maxwell? Just another outing of being in total command. She pitched the first five innings to earn another victory. Maxwell gave up two hits, walked three and struck out five. Maxwell is now 14-1 this season.
It was Karlie Keeney who came in relief to finish the job.
“Confident. Sharp. Attacking,” Gasso said. “She’ll throw three straight balls and then throw three straight strikes and I’m like could we have done that a little bit easier. But she’s confident and you can feel it. She’s turned a big corner and she’s turned it for a while now and that’s the connection she has with Coach Rocha.
“And there’s just different demeanor and a confidence. She’s very very confident on the mound right now. And I wanted to give Karlie Keeney an opportunity to get some work in because she’s really been grinding in the bullpen and yeah. It looked good. So if you can shut teams down like that you’re doing something really well.”
Senior Tiare Jennings added two hits to give her 293 in her career. It moves Jennings into fourth all-time at OU. And coincidentally, passes Kristin Vesely, who is now the Houston head coach.
Up next
The series continues, but Saturday will be interesting. It will be a lot colder, maybe even some rain? The elements could play a role. First pitch remains scheduled for 6 p.m. The OU spring football game was moved from 1 p.m. to 2:30 because of the expected weather. OU is now 40-4 overall and 16-3 in the Big 12. The Sooners are the first team in the country to 40 wins this season.
