The Oklahoma Sooners softball team (22-1) hosts a midweek doubleheader today, Tuesday, March 12th, against the Tarleton State Texans (12-13) at the newly opened Love’s Field. Here’s a quickbbreakdown of what we should expect:
Sooners Look to Extend Dominant Start:
The Sooners are off to a scorching start, boasting a 22-1 record. They lead the Big 12 conference and are one of the top offensive teams in the nation, averaging over eight runs per game. Look for stars like Tiare Jennings, Jayda Coleman, and Cydney Sanders to lead the offensive charge.
Tarleton State Should Be Outmatched:
The Texans enter the game with a 12-13 record, having lost six of their last seven games. However, they’ll be looking to take their shot against the three-time defending national champs.
This is only the third meeting between the two teams, with Oklahoma winning both previous matchups convincingly.
Pitching Matchup:
The Sooners likely won’t reveal their starting pitchers until closer to game time. Kelly Maxwell and Nicole May have been Oklahoma’s primary starting pitchers this season, and both boast impressive ERAs. For Tarleton State, expect Kendall Daniel weto get the nod in the circle.
What to Watch For:
- Early Offense: The Sooners are re-establishing their reputation for explosive offense, and they’ll be looking to jump on Tarleton State early and put the game out of reach.
- Tarleton State’s Upset Bid: While the Texans are underdogs, they’ll be motivated to pull off a surprise against a ranked opponent. Louisiana instilled that hope into every one of Oklahoma’s underdog opponents.
- Oklahoma’s Pitching Dominance: The Sooners boast a dominant pitching staff, and how effectively they shut down the Texans’ offense will be a key factor.
Prediction:
The Sooners are the clear favorites, but don’t expect them to take Tarleton State lightly. Oklahoma should win both games of the doubleheader comfortably, but the Texans might put up a fight.
Final Score Predictions (Predicted Wins for Oklahoma):
- Game 1: Oklahoma Sooners 10, Tarleton State 2
- Game 2: Oklahoma Sooners 8, Tarleton State 1
How to Watch:
Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and 1560 AM/103.3 FM The Franchise 2. You can also follow the Oklahoma Sooners Softball Twitter account for live updates.