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Oklahoma

OU takes two in Waco, earns first ranked victory of 2025

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo02/15/25BPrzybylo
Syndication: The Oklahoman
OU pitcher Paytn Monticelli. (Bryan Terry - The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network).

Each week, you can tell OU softball is going to find out more about itself. This time around? It was about going into a tough environment against a ranked foe.

The initial impression was a great one for head coach Patty Gasso. OU, behind freshman Sydney Barker, had zero issues dealing with No. 23 Baylor. The Sooners took care of business with a 9-1 run-rule victory Saturday afternoon.

There are a lot of freshmen for OU fans to be watching, so sometimes it feels like Barker might go a little under the radar. Hard to do that on a day like Saturday.

Barker hit two home runs, including a grand slam, on her way to six RBIs. Barker also had an RBI in the first victory of the day.

If it wasn’t Barker, then it was sophomore Ella Parker. In both games, really. Parker had six hits on the day and is now hitting .688 this season.

It was Kierston Deal getting the win in the circle for OU.

OU 8, Hofstra 0 (5 innings)

This was Parker’s day. The sophomore star had two home runs and drove in four runs. That’s about it would need to take with the way Bella Smith and Paytn Monticelli were working it.

Smith pitched the initial three innings, giving up three hits and striking out three. Then Monticelli came in with four strikeouts in the last two frames. The duo didn’t walk a batter.

OU is going to go against Hofstra and Baylor again Sunday. It begins early at 10 a.m. against Hoftstra before closing with the Bears at 3 p.m.

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