Under gray skies and cool desert air in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the Sooners opened the Troy Cox Classic on Friday the same way dynasties tend to announce themselves: loudly, relentlessly, and without apology. Two games. Two five-inning run rules. Thirty-five runs. Twelve home runs. A clear message that Oklahoma softball, even in a year of transition, still intends to set the tone nationally.
By the time the dust settled at the New Mexico State Softball Complex, Oklahoma had outscored Montana and host New Mexico State by a combined 35–6, turning opening day into a showcase of depth, power, and emerging stars.
This wasn’t simply about wins. It was about how they came.
A Statement from the First Swing
Oklahoma wasted no time in the opener against Montana. The Sooners jumped all over the Grizzlies early, unleashing a season-high eight home runs in a 17–0 victory that was over almost as soon as it began.
At the center of the storm was catcher Isabela Emerling, who delivered one of the most memorable individual performances in recent program history. Making her first start of the season, Emerling went 3-for-3 with three home runs and six RBIs, tying the Oklahoma single-game record for homers. She fell just one swing shy of the elusive “home run cycle,” missing only a grand slam.
It wasn’t a case of one player carrying the offense. Oklahoma’s lineup felt endless. Sydney Barker went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Kendall Wells, the true freshman who continues to look anything but new to the moment, launched a homer of her own. Kai Minor added power and presence, and the Sooners simply kept turning the lineup over until Montana ran out of answers.
What made the opener especially notable was how clean it was. Oklahoma didn’t just mash—it executed. Quality at-bats, disciplined pitch selection, and an unmistakable rhythm that looked far more like midseason than the second weekend.
Guachino’s First Impression
While the offense grabbed headlines, the circle told its own story.
Transfer Miali Guachino made her first start in a Sooner uniform and couldn’t have scripted it better. The former Ole Miss standout threw 4.1 hitless innings, striking out six and allowing just one baserunner via walk. She worked efficiently, commanded both sides of the plate, and showed the kind of poise that plays in big moments.
For a program navigating life after significant pitching turnover and continuing to adapt without longtime pitching coach Jennifer Rocha due to medical absence, Guachino’s performance mattered. It wasn’t just dominant—it was stabilizing.
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– Oklahoma Sooners Unleash Historic Power In 17-0 Run-Rule Win Over Montana At Troy Cox Classic
– Oklahoma’s Middle-Inning Avalanche Overwhelms New Mexico State
A Different Kind of Test
If the Montana game was a celebration, the nightcap against New Mexico State provided a reminder that early-season dominance still comes with wrinkles.
Oklahoma jumped out to a 4–0 lead in the first inning, but the Aggies responded with aggression. Starter Kierston Deal struggled with command, issuing four walks and allowing three earned runs in just 1.2 innings. Suddenly, a comfortable lead shrank to a single run, and Oklahoma was forced to adjust.
That adjustment came swiftly—and decisively.
Sophomore Audrey Lowry entered in relief and did what Oklahoma pitchers have been asked to do for years: stop momentum. Lowry tossed 3.1 innings, struck out three, and earned her fourth win of the season. She steadied the game, gave the offense room to breathe, and allowed the Sooners to reassert control.
Offensively, the response was emphatic.
Gabbie Garcia delivered a career-high six RBIs, finishing 3-for-4 with a home run, a bases-clearing double, and a single—ending the game a triple shy of the cycle. Ailana Agbayani homered again, tying her career high with five RBIs in the game and finishing the day with six RBIs across both contests. Kendall Wells continued her breakout start to the season with another home run, and Tia Milloy added her first blast of the season.
Even a three-run homer by New Mexico State’s Kendal Lunar in the fourth inning—part of the six total runs Oklahoma allowed, the most it has surrendered in a win this season—only briefly slowed the inevitable. The Sooners answered with authority, closing out an 18–6 run-rule victory that felt as much about resilience as it did raw power.
Depth on Display
What stood out most across both games was how many names filled the box score.
This wasn’t a top-heavy lineup leaning on one or two established stars. It was a roster flex. Veterans produced. Transfers delivered. Freshmen looked comfortable. Utility players made noise. Oklahoma’s ability to integrate roster depth so seamlessly on opening day speaks to both preparation and culture.
Head coach Patty Gasso has been candid this offseason about navigating pitching stability and redefining defensive roles. Friday’s results didn’t erase those questions—but they did provide encouraging early answers. Oklahoma showed it can win with different combinations, recover from early adversity, and overwhelm opponents in multiple ways.
What It Means Going Forward
Early season weekend results are never the final word, but they often set the tone. Oklahoma’s tone on Friday was unmistakable.
The Sooners look powerful, yes—but also hungry. There was no sense of complacency, no easing into the weekend. At-bats were competitive. Pitchers attacked. The dugout buzzed with energy. This felt like a team intent on defining itself early.
That matters as Oklahoma prepares for a busy Saturday slate against Minnesota and Idaho State. The matchup with Minnesota brings historical intrigue—the Gophers hold an 8–4 all-time edge, though Oklahoma won the most recent meeting decisively in 2024. Idaho State marks a first-ever meeting and Oklahoma’s first game against a program from the state of Idaho.
More than matchups, Saturday will be about continuation. Can the power stay hot? Can the pitching rotation continue to settle? Can the Sooners maintain sharpness while rotating personnel?
If Friday was any indication, Oklahoma has positioned itself well to answer yes.
The Bottom Line
Oklahoma’s opening day at the Troy Cox Classic wasn’t just dominant—it was intentional. The Sooners showcased elite power, emerging depth, and the ability to adapt when challenged. They left Las Cruces not just unbeaten, but emphatically in control of their narrative.
For a program measured by championships, not February box scores, Friday was a reminder: the standard remains the standard.
And Oklahoma looks very much ready to defend it.
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