On a sunlit Friday afternoon at Love’s Field, Sam Landry stepped into the circle, stared down one of college softball’s most storied programs, and never blinked. The senior right-hander delivered a complete-game gem, scattering four hits over seven innings to shut out No. 15 Alabama and guide No. 2 Oklahoma to a 3-0 victory in the opening game of the NCAA Norman Super Regional.
Backed by a crowd of 4,444 fans clad in crimson and cream, the Sooners took the first step toward a ninth straight trip to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. One more win—and they’re in.
“It’s definitely not something Oklahoma just does,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “There’s a fight going on between Alabama and ourselves trying to get to the World Series. Getting the first [victory], we say, ‘Put it in your pocket and just get after it. Get that second one done.’ You have that safety net, but you don’t want to use it.”
There was no safety net needed for Landry on Friday. The senior transfer from Louisiana mixed speeds and pounded the zone, finishing with five strikeouts against two walks and one hit batter in a 108-pitch outing. It was her 16th complete game and sixth shutout of the season, and it arrived against an Alabama team that hadn’t been blanked in a Super Regional since 2019.
“She stood her ground today,” said center fielder Abigale Dayton. “I expect nothing less. She’s an amazing pitcher.”
Landry was tested throughout. Alabama put runners on base in each of the first six innings, including a leadoff double from Alexis Pupillo in the sixth. But with the Tide threatening to flip the momentum, Landry bore down—striking out two and inducing a routine grounder to neutralize the threat.
“I think that’s Sam,” Gasso said. “There’s nothing that really rattles her or unsettles her. And if it does, she gets herself right back on pace. I felt like she had complete control today.”
Landry credited her calm to the belief she has in the players behind her. “That’s part of the challenge and that’s part of the fun,” she said. “I’m going to stay out there and battle them as long as I can. It was really just staying in it and knowing this team is going to have my back.”
The Sooners gave her that support early.
In the bottom of the third, Dayton worked a leadoff walk to bring up sophomore Kasidi Pickering, who wasted no time. On the first pitch she saw from Alabama starter Jocelyn Briski, Pickering launched a high-arching shot over the center field fence, a 246-foot bomb that put OU on top 2-0.
“We had a little conversation before we went up to bat,” Dayton said. “I said, ‘We’re going to get this. We’re going to get on base.’ She said, ‘You’re going to get on and I’m going to move you over.’ I said, ‘No, you’re going to hit me in, doesn’t matter where I am.’ First pitch, home run.”
Pickering, who is now tied with freshman Gabbie Garcia for the team lead with 18 home runs, rounded the bases as Love’s Field erupted. For a team that thrives off early momentum, the blast was both timely and emphatic.
Oklahoma would add another run in the fifth. Again it was Dayton who sparked the rally, slashing a double into the left-center gap. With two outs, freshman Sydney Barker delivered a clutch RBI single to right-center to score Dayton and extend the lead to 3-0.
“That insurance run was huge,” Gasso said.
Offensively, the Sooners were patient and opportunistic, drawing three walks and tallying five hits against three Alabama pitchers. Briski allowed all three runs, while relievers Alea Johnson and Catelyn Riley held OU scoreless over the final inning.
But for all Alabama’s pitching adjustments, the real story was the missed opportunities. The Crimson Tide had runners in scoring position in four separate innings. In the fifth, they put a runner on third with two outs, only for Landry to strike out Alabama’s home-run leader, Kali Heivilin, in a gritty full-count battle.
“We had runners in scoring position, but we just didn’t get that key hit,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. “In high-level softball, there are three things that you need: number one, a great start. Oklahoma got that. Number two, team defense. Neither team had an error. And then the third, probably the toughest to get, is a key hit. They got two and we didn’t get any.”
Landry’s composure was no accident, Murphy admitted. “Jen [Rocha] improved Sam,” he said, referring to Oklahoma’s pitching coach. “Sam was not like that last year. She was a good pitcher, but she’s better this year. It’s like a quarterback. A pitcher is like a good quarterback. You’ve got to find the right one with the right mindset.”
That mindset will now be key heading into Game 2, scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. Gasso hinted that Landry likely won’t start but didn’t rule out the possibility of her returning in relief.
Either way, the Sooners are one win away from a familiar destination.
“I’m definitely not taking any of this for granted,” Landry said. “Just really emptying the tank the last year and I’m so glad that I get to do that here with Coach Gasso and Coach Rocha. Very blessed to be here and just everything that’s happened this year is definitely part of God’s plan.”
For Alabama, the path forward is narrow but familiar. The Tide has rallied from Game 1 losses to win Super Regionals four times in program history, including once against Oklahoma in 2015.
But on Friday, it was the Sooners who controlled the tempo, delivered in the big moments, and showed why they’re chasing a seventh national title in 12 seasons.
Behind Landry’s poise and Pickering’s pop, they’re almost there.
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