No. 2 Oklahoma (30-1) found itself in an unexpected offensive battle Wednesday night, but the Sooners held off a relentless Wichita State squad to claim a thrilling 19-16 victory at Wilkins Stadium. The high-scoring contest saw OU plate a season-high 19 runs while giving up the most runs they’ve allowed since the 2019 Women’s College World Series.
It was a night of offensive fireworks, as the Sooners tallied a season-best 17 hits while six different players had multi-run performances. Kasidi Pickering reached base in all five of her plate appearances, drawing four walks and scoring four times. Gabbie Garcia led the way in run production, driving in a team-high four RBIs, while Maya Bland had a career night, collecting three hits, two runs, and two RBIs.
Oklahoma never trailed, but the Shockers made them work for it, battling back from multiple deficits to keep the game close. The Sooners stormed out of the gates with an eight-run first inning, only to see Wichita State chip away at the lead. Despite the Shockers’ best efforts, Sam Landry secured the win in relief, improving to 10-0 on the season.
Early Offensive Explosion
Oklahoma set the tone early, as they batted around in the first inning to post their most productive single frame of the season. The Sooners used a mix of speed and power to jump out to an 8-0 lead. Abigale Dayton’s two-run triple highlighted the early onslaught, while Bland added a two-run single of her own.
However, Wichita State quickly showed they wouldn’t go down quietly. The Shockers responded in the bottom of the first with solo home runs from Ellee Eck and Taylor Sedlacek, cutting the deficit to 8-2.
OU answered back in the second inning with a two-run homer from Garcia, her third of the season, stretching the lead to 10-2. Wichita State pushed across another run in the bottom half, but the Sooners weren’t finished with their long-ball display.
The third inning saw Isabella Emerling launch a solo shot to right field, and Pickering followed with a two-run blast to the opposite field. By the time Nelly McEnroe-Marinas added an RBI triple, Oklahoma had ballooned its lead to 14-3.
Shockers Battle Back
Just when it seemed like the game might get out of hand, Wichita State answered in a big way. The Shockers erupted for six runs in the bottom of the third, fueled by a pair of home runs from Camryn Compton and Sami Hood. With the deficit suddenly cut to 14-9, OU’s lead no longer felt safe.
The Sooners’ pitching struggles continued in the fourth, as a combination of free passes and shaky defense allowed Wichita State to inch even closer. A two-run single by Jodie Epperson made it a 14-11 game, and a groundout from Gabby Scott brought in another run to pull the Shockers within two at 14-12.
With momentum shifting, Oklahoma needed a response—and they got one. The Sooners posted another explosive inning in the fifth, scoring five times to regain control.
Dayton led off with an infield single, and McEnroe-Marinas immediately brought her home with an RBI double. Garcia followed with a sharp single back to the pitcher, forcing a throwing error that allowed two more runs to score. Ella Parker tacked on an RBI single before another Wichita State miscue pushed the lead back to 19-12.
Holding on for the Win
Despite the offensive surge, the Sooners couldn’t quite put the game out of reach. Wichita State kept battling, with Sedlacek crushing her third home run of the game—a three-run shot—to make it 19-15.
In the sixth inning, another OU defensive miscue allowed Epperson to score, bringing the Shockers within three. Wichita State even brought the tying run to the plate, but Landry escaped further damage with a pair of key strikeouts.
Oklahoma failed to add insurance runs in the seventh, but Landry closed things out with a strong final frame. After allowing a two-out single, she induced a routine groundout to secure the wild 19-16 victory.
Takeaways
1. Offensive Firepower
The Sooners’ 19-run performance was their highest-scoring game since a 22-run outburst against Stephen F. Austin in 2023. Their 17 hits were also a season-high, showing the depth of their lineup.
2. Pickering’s Patience
Kasidi Pickering had a career night in an unusual way—she walked four times, setting a personal best, and still managed to score four runs despite registering just one official at-bat.
3. Career Milestone for Emerling
Isabela Emerling reached the 100-RBI mark for her career, capping off the milestone with a home run and two RBIs.
4. Pitching Struggles
While Oklahoma’s offense delivered, the pitching staff had an off night, surrendering five home runs and 16 total runs—the most OU has given up in six years. Head coach Patty Gasso acknowledged that her team lacked focus on the mound, admitting that preparation for the upcoming Tennessee series may have taken priority.
5. Gasso’s Perspective
Despite the defensive and pitching woes, Gasso saw value in the game’s adversity. “Just the perseverance through this game was important,” she said postgame. “The adjustments are going to have to be at another extreme this weekend.”
Up Next
With the high-scoring win in the books, Oklahoma now shifts its focus to a pivotal SEC showdown. The Sooners will return home to host No. 10 Tennessee in a three-game series at Love’s Field. Game one is scheduled for Friday, March 28, at 6 p.m., with the final two matchups set for Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Oklahoma will look to clean up its pitching and defense while maintaining its offensive momentum as they continue their quest for another dominant season.
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