Oklahoma scored a combined 23 runs during it’s Saturday doubleheader, included in that total was an 8-0 run-rule victory over Louisiana. Then, on Sunday, the unthinkable happened. The Rajin’ Cajuns ended OU’s “Reign of Terror” on the college softball world by defeating the Sooners 7-5 in Norman, snapping the historic winning streak at 71 games. It’s a bit ironic that the final team that Oklahoma defeated in the streak is also the team that made history by ending the streak.
Oklahoma out-hit Louisiana 11-10 but committed a season-high three errors in the loss.
OU trailed 3-0 through three and a half innings, following a Ragin’ Cajun solo shot in the second and a two-run UL side of the fourth. Riley Ludlam (2-for-3) singled to open the frame and was pinch ran for by Ella Parker, then Hansen hammered a two-run home run to right center to cut the deficit to one.
Following a scoreless fifth and sixth, Louisiana stretched their lead to 4-2 in the seventh. Oklahoma struck back with two in the home half on a Jennings RBI single and a Ludlam run-scoring base hit dropped over the second baseman’s head, sending the game into extras knotted at four each.
Louisiana then plated three in the eighth to take a 7-4 lead. Cydney Sanders (1-for-4, R, HR, RBI) knocked a one-out solo shot to left-center in the home half and Avery Hodge singled with two away to put the tying run at the plate before UL closed the door.
Notes
- Tiare Jennings led the Sooner lineup with a three-hit game and moved into third on OU’s all-time list in total bases.
- Kinzie Hansen entered the program’s top 10 for career RBIs with No. 189 and 190 coming on her two-run home run in the fourth, a shot that moved her into eighth in career home runs at OU.
- OU’s NCAA-record winning streak comes to a close at 71 games.
- The Sooners outscored opponents 578-72 for a plus-506 run differential over the 71-game stretch.
- OU recorded wins over 42 different programs during the streak.
- The streak included 46 wins over Power Five opponents, 40 shutouts, 33 run-rule wins and 28 ranked wins.
Quotes
“We are human. We are human beings. That’s what happened today” – Patty Gasso
“I think it’s just gonna make us even that much better. We knew that wasn’t us on the field today. So … (we’ve just got to) keep working hard into conference with a bang and I mean, it is what it is. We just keep moving forward.” – Tiare Jennings
“To be on this streak that we are on was unbelievable, was ridiculously unbelievable. We take pride in that, but it’s over. We knew it was going to end. It was just when? Now we can just let it go and go back to work.” – Patty Gasso
“You’ve got to take a moment to just enjoy the success of your kids and then the beautiful environment at Oklahoma. That facility with a crowd all around was like being in an amphitheater.” – Louisiana head coach Gerald Glasco
“I think we got comfortable in our new house…” – Patty Gasso
“It was great, everyone was so excited and I definitely think everyone’s confidence is really high right now. I was honestly just trying to stay calm, (all of their hitters) can hit and it’s a great team. … I think we’ll remember it forever.” – Louisiana pitcher Chloe Riassetto
“We knew a game like this would be coming at some time. I don’t know that we were ready to have it happen here, but it happened. So nothing was good enough today for us. I mean we had the spirit of coming back which was great.” – Patty Gasso
“But from defense to pitching to timely hitting, we wasted a lot of time early in the game. This was a game we didn’t deserve to win. And we know how to come back, I know. There’s too much pride on this team to mope around. We’re gonna come back and be stronger. We’ve shown that and we’re made like that.” – Patty Gasso
“I think coach is exactly right. We didn’t do anything to deserve this game. Credit to (Louisiana), they came ready to play. We didn’t deserve to win. But this game doesn’t define us. Softball doesn’t define us. And I’m excited to come back next weekend to see what it looks like.” – Kinzie Hansen
“We all need to take a break, and it’s no excuse. Listen, we flat-out got beat. We admit that 100 percent. A lot of dramatics this weekend, and started well before the first game. Just the emotions and the wow factor we’re all feeling. The fans coming – it’s like the World Series. It’s what it feels like. I don’t know that we knew what to expect. We know now and ready to regroup. We need mental and physical rest.” – Patty Gasso
Up Next
Oklahoma will host Texas A&M Commerce on Wednesday, March 6 with a scheduled 6:00 p.m. start time.
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