The Oklahoma Sooners continued their red-hot start to the 2025 softball season, delivering a pair of commanding victories at the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas. The No. 3-ranked Sooners dismantled Hofstra 8-0 in a five-inning shutout before overpowering No. 23 Baylor 9-1 in another five-inning contest.
With these dominant wins, Oklahoma improved to a perfect 8-0, showcasing their prowess both at the plate and in the circle. Standout performances from Ella Parker and Sydney Barker fueled OU’s success, while the pitching staff maintained its impressive form.
Game 1: Oklahoma Cruises Past Hofstra, 8-0 (Five Innings)
Ella Parker continued her sensational start to the 2025 season, blasting two home runs and driving in four runs to lead the Sooners past Hofstra in the opening game of the Getterman Classic.
The offensive fireworks started early as Parker launched a two-run homer in the first inning after leadoff hitter Abigale Dayton drew a walk. Parker kept the momentum going in the second, singling home another run and using heads-up baserunning to help Dayton score during a rundown play.
Oklahoma extended its lead in the third with an RBI double from Ailana Agbayani, scoring Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, followed by a triple from Sydney Barker to bring home Agbayani. Parker capped her stellar performance with a solo home run in the fourth, her second of the game.
Parker finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, pushing her season batting average to a staggering .615.
On the defensive end, pitcher Isabella Smith kept Hofstra off the board, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out three. Smith’s dominance extended her season-opening scoreless streak to 15 2/3 innings. Paytn Monticelli took over in the fourth, sealing the run-rule victory with two shutout innings and four strikeouts.
The Sooners ended the game in unconventional fashion, scoring their eighth run on a dropped third strike. With runners on first and second, Tia Milloy hustled to first as Agbayani raced around third and scored, officially putting the game in run-rule territory.
Game 2: Freshman Sydney Barker Powers Oklahoma Past No. 23 Baylor, 9-1 (Five Innings)
Oklahoma’s offensive juggernaut kept rolling in their second game of the day, as freshman Sydney Barker stole the spotlight against Baylor with a two-homer, six-RBI performance.
Barker opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run blast off the left-field foul pole. She returned in the fifth inning to deliver the exclamation point—a no-doubt grand slam that broke the game open and secured another run-rule victory for the Sooners.
Veteran Cydney Sanders also made an impact, blasting a two-run homer in the third inning to double OU’s lead to 4-0.
Baylor attempted to rally in the fourth, as Shaylon Govan and former Sooner Turiya Coleman hit back-to-back doubles to bring in the Bears’ only run. However, Oklahoma’s defense stepped up, highlighted by a pinpoint throw from center fielder Abby Dayton to prevent Coleman from scoring on a sacrifice fly.
In the circle, sophomore left-hander Kierston Deal was solid for Oklahoma, allowing four hits and one run over 4 2/3 innings while striking out two. After Baylor put two runners on in the fifth, head coach Patty Gasso turned to Louisiana transfer Sam Landry, who induced a flyout to secure the win.
With her breakout performance, Barker made a strong case for increased playing time. She finished the day going 3-for-5 across both games with a triple, two home runs, and seven RBIs.
Key Takeaways from Oklahoma’s Dominant Day
1. Ella Parker’s Unstoppable Streak
Parker entered the day as Oklahoma’s top hitter and only solidified that status with her two-homer performance against Hofstra. She followed it up with a 3-for-3 outing against Baylor, finishing the day 6-for-7 with four RBIs and three runs. Through eight games, Parker is batting an eye-popping .688 and has recorded multiple hits in every game this season.
2. Sydney Barker’s Breakout Moment
Barker provided Oklahoma with a major spark, showcasing both power and clutch hitting against Baylor. Her grand slam in the fifth inning put the game out of reach and demonstrated why she could become a key contributor moving forward.
3. Dominant Pitching Continues
OU’s pitching staff continued to deliver, extending their dominant start to the season. Isabella Smith’s scoreless outing against Hofstra kept her ERA at 0.00, while Kierston Deal and Sam Landry combined to limit Baylor to just one run.
Paytn Monticelli’s strong relief appearance against Hofstra also showed Oklahoma’s depth in the circle, an asset that will be critical as the season progresses.
What’s Next for Oklahoma?
The Sooners wrap up the Getterman Classic on Sunday with a rematch against Hofstra at 10 a.m. before facing Baylor again at 3 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Oklahoma has left no doubt about their status as a national championship contender through the first two weeks of the season. With a deep lineup, dominant pitching, and a mix of veteran leadership and young stars stepping up, the Sooners appear primed for another historic run.
Stay tuned for continued coverage of Oklahoma Softball as they chase another title in 2025!
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