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Tiare Jennings brings the boom for OU softball at Texas Tech

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo03/16/24BPrzybylo
Syndication: The Oklahoman
OU senior Tiare Jennings. (Sarah Phipps - The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network).

The elements might not be ideal this weekend in Lubbock, but OU softball showed it is ready for what’s coming.

In particular? Tiare Jennings. The senior was sensational in helping the Sooners to a 14-0 victory at Texas Tech on Friday night.

Jennings was 3-for-3 from the plate with two home runs and six RBIs. Head coach Patty Gasso mentioned earlier this week how tricky it can be to play in Lubbock because of the weather and the wind.

She stressed her team was going to need to be tough, mentally strong to handle everything. That is the type of response she was clearly looking for.

The other co-captain got into the act as well. Kinzie Hansen missed the midweek doubleheader because of illness. Gasso wasn’t worried about Hansen returning, and Hansen got herself going with a solo home run in the top of the second.

Alynah Torres joined the home run squad with a solo shot of her own in the top of the fourth.

The Sooners were in firm control up 6-0 entering the top of the seventh and just pulled away. Jennings’ second home run was part of a eight-run frame to really end all doubt. Maya Bland came through with a two-run double as the freshman keeps trying to make the most of her chances.

That’s one way to stop Cydney Sanders from doing more damage. She was walked four times Friday before adding an RBI groundout in the seventh.

OU showed tremendous patience at the plate. To go with the 12 hits, the Sooners drew an incredible 13 walks.

From there? Just let Kelly Maxwell work. She needed to work out of one real jam, did that and cruised. Maxwell threw six innings, allowing two hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts. In the seventh, it was Paytn Monticelli to close it out.

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