Oklahoma sent eight batters to the plate in the top of the first inning but couldn’t quite capitalize on loading up the bases. An RBI single by Jocelyn Alo started the scoring as she brought in Sydney Romero but she’d ultimately get stranded at third herself. She got to third on a double by Shay Knighten, that scored Caleigh Clifton, and then Nicole Pendley drew a walk to load the bases.
Oklahoma State sent three pitchers to the circle in the first, finally settling for sophomore Logan Simunek who worked her way out of the bases-loaded jam by educing two pop outs and a ground out.
Simunek held the Sooners scoreless in the second inning, allowing just one hit, but the Cowgirls had a hard time getting by Oklahoma’s Paige Parker who allowed just one hit and struck out four batters through the first three innings. The Sooners didn’t fair much better by stranding five base runners through the first three innings, setting up an unexpected pitcher’s duel after what had been a promising opening frame for Oklahoma.
Another 1-2-3 inning for the Sooner defense, finished off by a great sliding catch by @Raegan_Rogers24! pic.twitter.com/cBOpjoWrHj
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) May 6, 2018
The Sooners cracked the code in the fourth inning by plating three more runs. Two of them came by way of a blast over the left field fence by Sydney Romero that also scored Kelsie Arnold.
WATCH: @syd_syd2 doubles the #Sooners' lead with her 11th homer of the season! pic.twitter.com/yUF7yxo54t
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) May 6, 2018
Senior Hannah Sparks was sent to pinch hit in the bottom of the fifth where she delivered an RBI single to center field that scored Nicole Mendes and brought out the possibility of a run rule.
That possibility never became reality, although not because there wasn’t opportunity. The Sooners left 14 runners stranded on the night which forced them to take the game and the series the old fashioned way.
Paige Parker picked up her 24th win of the season and left the circle to a standing ovation after fanning eight OSU batters in 5.1 innings of relief.
Paige Parker exits Marita Hynes for the last time in the regular season after recording her 8th K of the night
Senior Paige Lowary is on to close, Sooners up 6-0 T6 pic.twitter.com/9YwrnOAY5l
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) May 6, 2018
Paige Lowary closed out the game by pitching the final 1.2 innings where she allowed now hits and struck out two.
The 7-0 win capped a perfect 18-0 conference season for Oklahoma. The Sooners finished six games ahead of second place Oklahoma State and will take the top seed in next weekend’s Big 12 Tournament.
Perfection. #Sooners become just the second team in Big 12 history to go undefeated in conference play! #ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/d6rSbFbxnr
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) May 6, 2018
The Sooners are also expected to host a regional and a super regional in the NCAA Tournament.