*photo credit Ty Russell, OU Athletics
It wasn’t a shutout and it wasn’t a run-rule but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t dominant. The Sooners blasted their way past #18 Missouri on Saturday thanks to three home runs and an 11 strikeout performance from the circle.
Kinzie Hansen was the first Oklahoma player to send the ball out of the park on the day. Her solo shot to centerfield pulled the Sooners even with the Tigers at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning.
Hansen struck again in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single down the third base line that scored Nicole Mendes. That hit put OU in front 2-1 and they wouldn’t look back from there.
Jocelyn Alo gave the ball a ride in the bottom of the fifth. Her solo home run to right center field increased Oklahoma’s lead to 3-1 and then Tiare Jennings went yard to left field right after her make it a 4-1 lead.
Missouri got one back in the top of the sixth with a Kendyll Bailey home run to right center field. Oklahoma wouldn’t let Missouri close the gap any tighter than that though and Jennings knocked in the Sooners fifth and final run in the bottom half of the day with a single to right field that scored Jayda Coleman.
It was Giselle Juarez all the way in the circle for the Sooners. The senior pitcher picked up the 5-2 win, her sixth of the season, by throwing all seven innings in which she allowed the two runs off three hits and struck out 11 Tiger batters.
Oklahoma (14-0) will continue in the Courtyard Marriott Tournament with a Saturday night cap against Louisiana Monroe.
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