The Big 12 Championship semifinals pit two teams with contrasting narratives. The Oklahoma Sooners (47-6) are the tournament’s dominant force, having cruised through their quarterfinal matchup with a 10-1 victory over Kansas. Meanwhile, the BYU Cougars (31-22) are the Cinderella story, fresh off a surprising 7-2 upset against No. 3 seed Oklahoma State. This semifinal clash promises fireworks as Oklahoma seeks to maintain their championship run, while BYU aims to continue their giant-slaying journey and potentially reach uncharted territory. Buckle up for a rematch filled with revenge, redemption, and a chance to solidify a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.
Sooner Showdown: Oklahoma Faces BYU in Big 12 Semifinal Rematch (How They Got There)
Oklahoma Cruises Past Kansas:
The Oklahoma Sooners (47-6) wasted no time dispatching the Kansas Jayhawks (28-25) in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon, securing a 10-1 victory. A five-run first inning provided all the offensive support starting pitcher Kelly Maxwell (17-2) needed. The Sooners offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Ella Parker, Tiare Jennings, and Rylie Boone collecting multi-hit efforts, while Jayda Coleman launched a solo homer.
BYU Upsets Oklahoma State:
Meanwhile, in a shocker, No. 6 seed BYU (31-22) stunned No. 3 seed Oklahoma State (43-11) by a score of 7-2. Senior lefty Chloe Temples (10-6) pitched a complete game for the Cougars, allowing just two earned runs. BYU capitalized on five Oklahoma State errors and plated all their runs before the Cowgirls could get on the board. This win marked BYU’s program-best third victory over a Top 10 team this season.
Regular Season Series Recap:
The Sooners and Cougars split their three-game regular season series. Oklahoma dominated the first game, with Kelly Maxwell tossing a complete-game one-hitter and the team launching three home runs. However, BYU bounced back in game two, handing the Sooners their first Big 12 home loss since 2017. The Sooners responded by taking the rubber match, with Alyssa Brito leading the way with a four-RBI performance.
Championship on the Line:
This semifinal matchup presents a unique opportunity for revenge for both teams. Oklahoma will look to avoid another upset and solidify their place as the favorite in the Big 12 Championship. BYU, on the other hand, is riding high after their upset win and has a chance to knock off another powerhouse and potentially reach the championship game for the first time in program history. The winner will advance to the championship game on Saturday, while the loser will be left to wait for Sunday’s NCAA Tournament selection.
OU meets sixth-seeded BYU in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship semifinal on Friday evening at 5 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, 1560 AM/103.3 FM The Franchise 2 and 107.7 FM The Franchise.
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