The No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Sooners continued their dominant start to the 2025 season, delivering back-to-back run-rule victories over Kansas and Marshall at Love’s Field on Saturday. The Sooners blasted eight home runs across both games, including a three-homer performance from sophomore Kasidi Pickering, to extend their perfect record to 18-0.
Game 1: Oklahoma 8, Kansas 0 (5 Innings)
Oklahoma wasted no time flexing its offensive firepower in the first game of the day against Big 12 foe Kansas. The Sooners launched five home runs en route to an 8-0 run-rule victory in five innings, securing their 10th run-rule win of the season.
Early Fireworks
Cydney Sanders set the tone in the first inning, launching a towering two-run home run to left field to give Oklahoma an early lead. Moments later, Pickering followed with a solo blast of her own, marking her fifth homer of the season and putting the Sooners ahead 3-0. An errant throw from Kansas allowed another run to score, capping off a four-run first inning for OU.
Pickering’s Power Surge
Leading off the third inning, Pickering struck again, crushing her second solo home run of the game off the left-center field concourse. The sophomore outfielder, who had previously recorded a multi-homer game in last year’s NCAA Tournament, was locked in at the plate all day long.
Freshman shortstop Gabbie Garcia joined the home run parade in the fourth inning, driving a solo shot to straightaway center to extend Oklahoma’s lead to 6-0. Then, in the fifth, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas delivered the knockout blow with a walk-off two-run homer, securing the 8-0 win.
Lowry’s Bounce-Back Performance
After struggling in her first collegiate start at Love’s Field earlier in the week, freshman pitcher Audrey Lowry settled in and delivered a strong outing. The left-hander tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out four.
“Monday was a little shaky, but today I felt more in control,” Lowry said after the game. “I had a better routine and just trusted my pitches.”
Head coach Patty Gasso praised Lowry’s composure, noting that her nerves in Monday’s start were understandable. “That first start at Love’s Field can be overwhelming,” Gasso said. “But today, she looked like the pitcher we know she is.”
Game 2: Oklahoma 11, Marshall 0 (5 Innings)
Fresh off their dominant win over Kansas, the Sooners showed no signs of slowing down against Marshall. The offense erupted early, plating runs in each of the first three innings before putting the game away with a six-run third inning.
Pickering Strikes Again
After hitting two homers in the first game, Pickering wasted no time adding to her total in Game 2. She smashed a three-run homer in the first inning to put the Sooners up 3-0, bringing her season total to seven.
Garcia kept her hot streak alive in the second inning with a two-run home run, her second of the day, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Six-Run Third Inning Seals It
The Sooners blew the game open in the third, sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring six runs. The inning started with a bizarre sequence when Tia Milloy stole second and third on a passed ball, setting up a squeeze bunt attempt by Ailana Agbayani. Although the initial bunt attempt was ruled a foul ball, Agbayani responded by doubling to right-center, scoring Milloy.
Then, pinch-hitter Maya Bland delivered one of the biggest swings of the night. The freshman stepped in for Isabela Emerling and crushed a two-run home run, her first of the season, putting OU in run-rule territory at 9-0.
Ella Parker followed with an RBI double, and Sydney Barker tacked on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 11-0, capping off a dominant inning.
Strong Pitching Leads the Way
Kierston Deal got the start in the circle and delivered another efficient performance, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out three. Patyn Monticelli closed out the game with a perfect fifth inning, securing the shutout victory.
Sooners Fire on All Cylinders
Oklahoma’s dominance on Saturday was a testament to their all-around excellence. The offense was relentless, the pitching was sharp, and the defense was flawless.
“Overall today was one of our best days of softball,” Gasso said. “Very clean, very sharp. Pitchers did a great job. Kasidi Pickering was on fire, and then you get Gabbie on fire. Our defense was on point. Everything was really clean and fun to watch.”
The Sooners finished the day with 14 hits and 13 walks while committing zero errors in the field. The pitching staff allowed just eight hits combined across both games, further solidifying Oklahoma as a national championship contender.
Looking Ahead
With the pair of wins, Oklahoma improved to 18-0 on the season. They will wrap up the Omni Oklahoma Classic on Sunday with a matchup against Kansas City at 1:45 p.m. at Love’s Field.
With Pickering leading the charge offensively and the pitching staff rounding into form, the Sooners look poised to continue their dominant run as they inch closer to the start of SEC play.
“We’re in a good rhythm right now,” Gasso said. “We just have to keep playing our game.”
If Saturday was any indication, the Sooners’ game is as dominant as ever.
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