Starting quickly on the offensive side of the equation in an elimination game, Sydney Romero drew a leadoff walk to start the contest. Patiently waiting an opportunity, Caleigh Clifton stepped up to plate. Settling in on a pitch, the senior delivered a double to the center field wall allowing Romero to score. Later in the inning, Clifton took advantage of two wild pitches bringing her home as the Oklahoma Sooners claimed an early 2-0 edge.
On the defensive side of the equation, Giselle Juarez stepping into the circle again despite suffering a defeat earlier in the day at the hands of the Tide. Facing a tenacious Alabama Crimson Tide program, the lefty struck out two batters in the first inning. However, the day ended for Juarez after a solo-shot from Raegan Dykes in the top of the second frame.
Giving way to Mariah Lopez, the right-handed pitcher played confidently against a dangerous lineup. After a few shutout innings of relief work, Lopez received some breathing room from the offense.
It’s no secret that this Oklahoma lineup possesses power hitters tucked away at strategic positions. One such player remains Jocelyn Alo. Crushing a homerun over the center field bleachers, the sophomore put the Sooners up 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. It appeared to be a comfortable margin but this is the Women’s College World Series and anything can happen.
Refusing to give up, Bama continued to fight. Deciphering the code to Lopez’s pitches, Skyler Wallace settled in on one. Responding with a bomb of her own in the top of the sixth inning, the Crimson Tide climbed back into the contest at 4-3.
However, the Oklahoma Sooners were far from finished. Rising to the occasion, Grace Lyons and Nicole Mendes recorded blasts of their own as the top seeded team pushed the lead out to 7-3. The score proved to be the final as OU punched their ticket to the Championship Series. Scheduled to face the UCLA Bruins, the top ranked teams will settle the score on Monday.