No. 2 Oklahoma capped off their final regular season road trip in dominant fashion, blasting their way to an 11-7 victory over UCF on Sunday and securing their seventh sweep of the year. This win kept them in place atop the Big 12 conference and propelled them towards a potential conference championship.
Offensive Fireworks Light Up the Scoreboard
The Sooners’ offense was on fire throughout the game, launching a staggering five home runs and racking up 11 runs on 11 hits. Leading the charge was Ella Parker, who went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and 3 RBIs. Her opposite-field two-run blast in the second inning tied the game at 2-2, setting the tone for the offensive onslaught.
The rest of the lineup followed suit, with Kinzie Hansen reaching base in all four of her at-bats and driving in 2 runs, while Rylie Boone and Kasidi Pickering also chipped in with multi-hit performances. The biggest moment, however, belonged to Tiare Jennings. Her solo home run in the fifth inning not only added to the Sooners’ lead but also marked a historic milestone: her 300th career RBI, making her only the fifth player in NCAA history to achieve this feat.
Brito’s Clutch Hit Pushes Sooners Ahead
While the home runs stole the show, it was a well-executed squeeze bunt by Jayda Coleman in the third inning that opened the scoring for the Sooners. This was followed by a go-ahead two-run single from Alyssa Brito, putting Oklahoma in front for good.
Kelly Maxwell Shuts the Door in Relief
Despite surrendering an early lead, the Sooners’ pitching staff managed to contain the UCF offense. Starter Nicole May struggled, but Kelly Maxwell came on in relief and shut the door. She pitched 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing only two runs on four hits to earn the victory and improve her record to a stellar 16-1 on the season.
Looking Ahead: Bedlam Awaits
With the win, the Sooners (45-4, 21-3 Big 12) likely need a sweep in their final series against arch-rivals Oklahoma State to secure the Big 12 championship outright. This sets the stage for a thrilling Bedlam series that will undoubtedly be a highlight of the regular season, as Texas plays at Texas Tech.
Key Takeaways
- Dominant offensive performance by the Sooners, highlighted by five home runs and 11 RBIs.
- Tiare Jennings reaches historic milestone with her 300th career RBI.
- Kelly Maxwell’s strong relief pitching secures the win for Oklahoma.
- Sooners likely need three wins against Oklahoma State to clinch the Big 12 title.
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