Under the clear Georgia sky in their SEC Tournament debut, No. 2/2 Oklahoma Softball (44-7) handled the moment with poise and power, downing No. 9/10 LSU (41-14) by a 4-1 margin Thursday in the quarterfinals at Jack Turner Stadium. Powered by a complete-game gem from Sam Landry and timely production from Cydney Sanders and Sydney Barker, the Sooners punched their ticket to the semifinals.
Early Breakthrough
In a season defined by adaptation and excellence, Oklahoma showed once again why it remains one of the premier programs in college softball. Sam Landry delivered her 15th complete game of the season, holding LSU without a hit beyond the infield and striking out seven in a dominant seven-inning performance. The right-hander improved to 19-4 on the season, allowing just one run on one hit with four walks.
OU wasted no time getting on the board. The Sooners loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on three walks, and Sanders opened her account with an RBI the painful way—taking a pitch off the body to force in a run. LSU starter Sydney Berzon worked out of further trouble in the frame but was quickly locked into a pitcher’s duel with Landry.
Sanders Strikes Again
Berzon settled down through the second and third, matching zeroes with her counterpart. But Oklahoma broke through again in the fourth. Sanders drew a leadoff walk and gave way to pinch runner Chaney Helton, who advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a groundout by Ailana Agbayani. Barker then stepped up and lined an RBI single up the middle, doubling the Sooners’ lead to 2-0.
An inning later, Oklahoma added some cushion. Ella Parker led off the fifth with a double, setting the stage for Sanders to do what she does best. On a 1-1 pitch, she unloaded a towering two-run homer to left-center—OU’s 56th team home run of the season—to extend the lead to 4-0.
Landry Closes the Door
The Tigers mounted their biggest threat in the top of the sixth. LSU loaded the bases with one out, finally breaking through with a sacrifice fly from Tori Edwards to cut the deficit to 4-1. But Landry held firm, retiring the next batter to strand a pair and preserve the lead.
From there, it was smooth sailing. Landry made quick work of the Tigers in the seventh, retiring the side in order to close out her 15th game with at least five strikeouts this season and secure Oklahoma’s first-ever SEC Tournament victory.
Stars of the Game
Cydney Sanders once again showed her value at the heart of the Sooner lineup, finishing 1-for-1 with three RBIs, a home run, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. Barker added a key hit and an RBI, while Parker reached base twice and scored.
Berzon (17-7) took the loss for LSU, surrendering four runs on five hits and five walks across six innings, with three strikeouts.
The win moved Oklahoma to 9-4 this season against top-10 opponents and demonstrated the team’s readiness for the grind of postseason play in a new conference. Landry’s command and Oklahoma’s knack for timely hitting were the difference against an LSU team that had been among the most consistent in the SEC.
Looking Ahead
The Sooners now advance to face No. 6/7 Arkansas in the semifinals on Friday, May 9 at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. The Razorbacks, seeded fifth in the tournament, present another tough matchup—but Oklahoma, on the strength of elite pitching and a championship-tested roster, will be ready.
STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT:
Cydney Sanders | 1-for-1, HR, 3 RBIs, BB, HBP
Sydney Barker | 1-for-3, RBI
Ella Parker | 1-for-3, R, BB
Sam Landry | W, CG, 7.0 IP, H, ER, 4 BB, 7 K
PITCHERS OF RECORD:
Win: Sam Landry (19-4)
Loss: Sydney Berzon (17-7)
NOTES:
- Sam Landry posted her 15th game of the season with at least five strikeouts and the 50th such game of her career.
- OU improved to 9-4 against top-10 teams this season.
- The Sooners notched their 56th home run of the year.
- This marked Oklahoma’s first appearance and first win in the SEC Tournament.
UP NEXT:
No. 2/2 Oklahoma will face No. 6/7 Arkansas in the SEC Tournament Semifinals on Friday, May 9 at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN2.
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