Jocelyn Alo showed no patience, at all, and it paid off for her. With one away in the bottom of the first, Oklahoma’s freshman star gave the ball a ride that would clear the left field bleachers.
With this SOLO SHOT, @OU_Softball's Jocelyn Alo ties the NCAA DI freshman single season home run record with her 30th! #WCWS pic.twitter.com/eoFR29yi17
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 2, 2018
A pretty intense pitcher’s duel developed after that as Paige Parker went head-to-head with Florida aces Kelly Barnhill and Aleshia Ocasio. Barnhill went the first two innings, giving up just the home run and one other hit.
The Sooners got to Ocasio in the bottom of the fifth when a bases-loaded wild pitch caused all kinds of problems. Shay Knighten struck out on the play but was able to advance to first when the ball got away from Florida catcher Janell Wheaton. With runners in motion Caleigh Clifton, who led off the inning with a walk, raced home to give Oklahoma an insurance run.
Leading 2-0, Parker went back to work on the Gators’ lineup. She retired Florida in order in the sixth and then held off an attempted one-out rally in the seventh.
The final out from OKC! @OU_Softball secures its second win of the day with a 2-0 victory over Florida! #WCWS pic.twitter.com/IduICTXttv
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2018
Parker’s day concluded with 14 innings of shutout softball to put the Sooners in Sunday’s semifinals. Oklahoma started Saturday with a 2-0 win over Arizona State and ended with a 2-0 win over Florida. They’ll need to pick up two more wins over Washington on Sunday in order to advance to the championship series.
First pitch between the Sooners and Huskies will be a Noon (CT) on Sunday.