Patty Gasso’s return to her alma mater turned into an old-school defensive showdown as No. 3-ranked Oklahoma Softball secured a gritty 2-0 win over Long Beach State in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon. The sold-out crowd in Long Beach was treated to a tense, scoreless battle that saw dominant pitching performances on both sides before the Sooners finally broke through in extra innings.
Pitching Dominance Sets the Tone
Before the action unfolded, Gasso, a Long Beach State alum, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. But it was Oklahoma’s left-hander, Kierston Deal, who stole the spotlight early. The talented southpaw was unhittable for six innings, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh while working around multiple Long Beach State threats.
Oklahoma’s pitching trio of Deal, Paytn Monticelli, and Isabella Smith combined for 11 shutout innings, holding the Beach to just one hit in the entire contest. Deal was particularly impressive, striking out batters and working efficiently through the lineup until a soft infield single in the seventh broke up her no-hit bid.
On the other side, Long Beach State’s Brynne Nally and Maddy Martin kept the high-powered Sooners offense at bay, working out of multiple jams as Oklahoma stranded runners in scoring position inning after inning. The Beach’s defense played a crucial role, turning multiple double plays and making spectacular catches to keep the game locked at 0-0.
Oklahoma Struggles to Capitalize on Early Opportunities
The Sooners had plenty of chances to take control early but couldn’t convert against Long Beach State’s resilient defense. In the first inning, Oklahoma loaded the bases with one out, setting up freshman Tia Milloy for a golden opportunity. However, shortstop Selena Perez made an incredible diving grab and fired to second for a double play, ending the threat.
Oklahoma loaded the bases again in the third, but once more, Long Beach State had the answer. With two outs, Nally struck out Nelly McEnroe-Marinas to keep the game scoreless. A similar scenario unfolded in the fifth when Cydney Sanders singled to left, and Gasso waved Ella Parker home, only for left fielder Jacquelyn Bickar to gun her down at the plate.
Despite multiple opportunities, Oklahoma couldn’t find a breakthrough as Long Beach State’s defense continued to deliver in clutch moments.
Long Beach State Threatens, but Oklahoma’s Defense Holds Firm
While Oklahoma dominated the hit column, Long Beach State managed to put runners in scoring position with small ball tactics. In the fourth inning, Jacquelyn Bickar walked and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and a deep fly ball. It looked as though Rebekah Durazo might drop a go-ahead single into center field, but Utah transfer Abigale Dayton made a highlight-reel diving catch to end the inning.
Long Beach State’s best chance to score came in the seventh when Carly Robbins led off with an infield single, breaking up Deal’s no-hitter. Gasso turned to Monticelli out of the bullpen, and she immediately got help from her defense. Left fielder Kasidi Pickering made a fantastic catch on a shallow fly ball and then fired to first base to double up the pinch runner, ending the inning and sending the game into extras.
Dayton Delivers in the 11th Inning
As the game stretched into the 11th inning, the Sooners finally found their moment. Isabela Emerling drew a one-out walk and moved into scoring position on a groundout. With two outs, Dayton, who had already made a crucial defensive play earlier, stepped up once again.
She delivered the game’s biggest hit, smashing a double to the wall in left-center, allowing Emerling to cross home plate with the first run of the game. The Sooners weren’t done yet, as Parker followed up with an RBI single to drive Dayton home, giving Oklahoma a much-needed insurance run.
Isabella Smith Slams the Door
Tasked with preserving Oklahoma’s 2-0 lead, Isabella Smith, the Campbell transfer, showed nerves of steel in the bottom of the 11th. She calmly retired the final three batters, securing her third win of the season and ending the marathon battle in Long Beach.
Smith’s 4.1 innings of scoreless relief capped a masterful pitching performance for Oklahoma, highlighting the team’s depth and resilience in the circle.
Takeaways from Oklahoma’s Extra-Inning Victory
- Pitching and Defense Reign Supreme – While Oklahoma’s high-powered offense struggled to cash in on early opportunities, their pitching staff and defense ensured they stayed in the game. Deal’s dominance, Monticelli’s timely relief, and Smith’s poise all contributed to the shutout victory.
- Clutch Performers Step Up – Dayton proved to be the hero both defensively and offensively, making a game-saving catch in the fourth and delivering the game-winning hit in the 11th. Parker also provided key at-bats, recording multiple hits and an RBI.
- Early-Season Tests Prepare OU for Tougher Competition – The Sooners have dominated teams early in the season, but Sunday’s contest showed that they can grind out wins even when the bats aren’t clicking. These types of games are invaluable for conference and postseason preparation.
- Long Beach State Proves to Be a Worthy Opponent – The Beach, now 3-1 on the season, showed they can compete with the nation’s best. Their defense was exceptional, and their pitching kept Oklahoma’s lineup in check for 10 innings. If this performance is any indication, Long Beach State will be a tough team to beat in 2025.
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