Giselle Juarez may be new to Oklahoma but she’s certainly not new to postseason softball. A transfer pitcher from Arizona State, Juarez led the Sun Devils to the Women’s College World Series last year before deciding to relocate later that fall.
In her first postseason appearance as a Sooner, on Friday night, Juarez struck out the first five batters she faced and retired the nine batters she faced, through her three innings of work, striking out six.
From the batter’s box Oklahoma plated Sydney Romero, in the bottom of the first, off a bloop single from Jocelyn Alo, and then added two more in the second on a home run from Grace Lyons.
A pair of two-run homers extended Oklahoma’s lead in the third inning. Caleigh Clifton sent the ball over the left field wall, scoring Fale Aviu as well. Then Nicole Mendes blasted a no-doubter out of right field, scoring Grace Green in the process.
With a 7-0 lead, Mariah Lopez took to the circle in the top of the fourth and struck out the side.
Oklahoma batted through the order in the fourth inning, scoring five runs and putting the run-rule in play with a 12-0 lead.
Wanting to get all of her pitchers a taste of the postseason. Patty Gasso went with Shannon Saile to close out the game in the fifth. Saile continued with what Juarez and Lopez started by striking out the side, resulting in Oklahoma’s first ever combined perfect game.
The Sooners will face Wisconsin at 3:00 (CT) Saturday afternoon for the opportunity to advance to the Regional championship on Sunday. The Badgers defeated Notre Dame 4-2 in the Regional opener.