Category: Softball

Cydney Sanders’ has big weekend in Sooners sweep of Iowa State

Cydney Sanders showed off her power in a big weekend vs. Iowa State.

The Oklahoma Sooners started Big 12 play with a bang as they beat the [autotag]Iowa State Cyclones[/autotag] in all three games to start. The Sooners won 4-0, 11-2 and then 14-1.

The star of the weekend was first baseman [autotag]Cydney Sanders[/autotag]. Sanders hit four home runs and recorded nine RBIs. Sanders spoke to reporters after Saturday’s doubleheader about the day she had.

“Just seeing a strike and swinging,” Sanders said. “Honestly, in my last at-bat, I told coach I was going to swing at my first pitch strike. I ended up not but it ended up working out in the end. Just seeing pitches and getting good swings on them.”

That she did. We had been waiting for a breakout day from Sanders since she transferred before last season. As a freshman, she hit 21 home runs and had 63 RBIs for Arizona State. In her first year with the Sooners she hit nine home runs with 31 RBIs and her batting average dropped from .425 to .284.

This year Sanders is up to .385 and already has eight home runs and 20 RBIs. That would put her on pace for about 20 home runs and 46 RBIs. She’s had six home runs and 15 RBIs in the month of March alone. And it’s only March 10.

If they can keep getting this version of Cydney Sanders, it could be huge fir Oklahoma’s chances of winning a fourth straight national title.

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Lady Vols shut out Ohio State to end Tennessee Invitational

Lady Vols shut out Ohio State to end play in the Tennessee Invitational.

No. 8 Tennessee (18-4) defeated Ohio State (10-5), 11-0 in five innings, on Sunday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

The contest was part of the Tennessee Invitational.

Karlyn Pickens (9-2) started for the Lady Vols. She pitched five innings and recorded five strikeouts. Pickens totaled 73 pitches, including 48 strikes, against 18 batters.

Tennessee totaled nine hits against the Buckeyes, including two home runs by Sophia Nugent and Zaida Puni.

The Lady Vols will next play at Howard on Monday. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. EDT in Washington, D.C.

Tennessee will open Southeastern Conference play on Friday against Missouri at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. EDT (SEC Network+).

Instant Analysis: LSU softball, nation’s last unbeaten team, competes sweep over Kentucky in SEC opening weekend

LSU moves to 21-0 on the season after getting a road sweep against the Wildcats this weekend to open SEC play.

The LSU softball team entered the first weekend of SEC as the last undefeated squad in Division I. Following a road trip to Lexington against a ranked Kentucky team, things are staying that way.

The Tigers completed a sweep against the Wildcats with an 8-3 win in Game 3 on Sunday, moving to 21-0 on the year one with the first SEC series in the books.

After two scoreless innings to start the game, LSU struck first with a pair of RBI singles in the third from [autotag]McKenzie Redoutey[/autotag] and [autotag]Maci Bergeron[/autotag] to take a 2-0 lead.

Kentucky tied the game with a two-run double in the fourth that chased starter [autotag]Raelin Chaffin[/autotag] from the game, but LSU would break things wide open in the sixth inning. An [autotag]Ali Newland[/autotag] double scored a pair of runs, and the Tigers would add another on a bases-loaded walk.

UK opted for a pitching change, but that wouldn’t fix things. Redoutey hit a sac-fly, and [autotag]Karli Petty[/autotag] and [autotag]Kelley Lynch[/autotag] added RBI singles to put up a six-spot in the inning.

Kentucky hit a one-run homer in the bottom of the frame but still faced a wide gap entering the final inning. It managed a pair of base hits in that frame, but it didn’t amount to any runs.

[autotag]Sydney Berzon[/autotag] entered the game in the fourth and ultimately pitched the last 3.1, allowing five hits but just one earned run while striking out four.

The Tigers will be back in action on Tuesday night for a midweek game against Texas before hosting Ole Miss next weekend for the home opener conference series.

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Ohio State softball falls to No. 8 Tennessee

The Ohio State softball team fell to a dominant pitching performance in a 5-0 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night.

It was a good litmus test for the Ohio State softball program on Saturday when it faced off with No. 8 Tennessee. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, there’s the realization that there’s still room for improvement after a 5-0 loss to the Volunteers in Knoxville.

Tennessee got on the board early with a run in the first inning to make it 1-0, and it turns out that’s all it would need thanks to domination in the circle by pitcher Payton Gottshall. The Ohio native would notch six strikeouts in 5.2 innings, holding the Buckeyes hitless until the fourth inning.

Besides the run in the first inning, the Vols would tack on a run in the second inning, two in the fourth thanks to a two-run triple by Taylor Pannell, and then an insurance run in the sixth for the final 5-0 score.

Ohio State’s first hit came from Tegan Cortelletti on a bunt single in the fourth. OSU would finish with just three hits total in a game where it struggled to solve the Tennessee pitching riddle.

The Buckeyes’ Allison Smith pitched a complete game in the circle, giving way to six hits and five earned runs while striking out five and walking four.

The two teams will go at it again at 1:30 PM ET on Sunday, followed by OSU going toe-to-toe with South Dakota at 4 PM ET. The record for OSU now sits at 10-5.

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Recap: Auburn softball gets blanked by Missouri

After losing game one of its SEC opening series, Auburn softball gets shut out in game two, officially losing the series to Missouri.

It was another unfortunate day for Auburn softball, as the No. 25 Tigers were shut out in game two of the three-game series against No. 12 Missouri on Saturday, making Auburn 0-2 to start SEC play by falling, 5-0.

After a dazzling performance from Missouri’s Laurin Krings led the girls from Columbia to a win in the opening game, it was Cierra Harrison (7-0) who stole the show in this game, putting together yet another impressive performance in the circle.

Missouri got the scoring started early in the 1st, when Jenna Laird scored on a wild pitch after singling to start the game and being advanced on a later double.

That offense continued in the 2nd, trying to wear Auburn out early. It started with Katie Chester sending a double into right field. She advanced to third when Madison Walker reached on an error.

Chantice Phillips then sent a ball into right center that would not be returning to the field, hitting a three-run home run to make it a 4-0 Missouri lead.

After a double and a strikeout, Alex Honnold sent an RBI single into center field, increasing the score to 5-0 in favor of the gold and black.

The scoring ended following the early offensive surge by Missouri. Unfortunately for Auburn, it never found a groove and never recovered.

Harrison picked up the win for her squad, pitching a complete game and striking out nine. She gave up no runs on five hits, keeping her undefeated season going.

[autotag]Annabelle Widra[/autotag] pitched 1.1 innings while giving up five runs on five hits. Only one of those runs was earned. [autotag]Shelby Lowe[/autotag] and [autotag]Emma Rolfe[/autotag] finished the game in relief, preventing any more damage.

[autotag]Rose Roach[/autotag] was the only one who picked up multiple hits for Auburn, hitting two singles.

The girls from the Plains will attempt to end the series on a positive note in Sunday’s series finale. First pitch is set for noon.

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Nebraska softball splits final day of the Razorback Rumble

The Huskers entered the final day of the Razorback Rumble with a doubleheader against St. Francis and South Alabama.

The Huskers entered the final day of the Razorback Rumble with a doubleheader against St. Francis and South Alabama. Nebraska split the last day, falling to St. Francis and defeating South Alabama.

In the loss to St. Francis, the Huskers led 2-0 after five innings but failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities. Nebraska finished the game with ten runners left on base. St. Francis took advantage by forcing extra innings before jumping out to take the 6-3 win in eight innings.

Ava Bredwell led Nebraska in the batter’s box, hitting 2-of-3 with a double, a triple, and a walk. Bella Bacon hit a pair of RBIs, while Billie Andrews doubled to extend her hitting streak to 16 games.

Sarah Harness took the loss for Nebraska. Harness started in the circle and tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. Emmerson Cope pitched the sixth and seventh innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Harness re-entered the game and pitched the eighth inning, giving up four runs.

In the win over South Alabama, Nebraska took control of the lead in the first inning and held it to the end. Bacon put the Huskers on the board with her lone hit of the game, resulting in an RBI.

Sydney Gray dominated the game for Nebraska, delivering three hits, two home runs, a double, and three RBIs. Alina Felix brought in the final run for the Huskers with an RBI off a fielder’s choice.

Kaylin Kinney pitched the whole game and faced 29 batters. Kinney earned the win and threw two strikeouts while surrendering six hits and a run.

Nebraska moves to 11-11 on the season and will return home to host the Big Red Spring Classic from Thursday to Sunday. The Huskers will start the tournament against Northern Colorado on Thursday night. The first pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.

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Lady Vols shut out Ohio State in Tennessee Invitational

Lady Vols softball shuts out Ohio State in the Tennessee Invitational.

No. 8 Tennessee (17-4) defeated Ohio State (10-5), 5-0, on Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Saturday’s contest was part of the Tennessee Invitational.

Payton Gottshall (7-2) started for the Lady Vols and pitched 5.2 innings. She recorded six strikeouts, while allowing three hits and zero walks. Gottshall totaled 84 pitches, including 60 strikes, against 21 batters.

Karlyn Pickens pitched 1.1 innings in relief for the Lady Vols and recorded two strikeouts.

Tennessee totaled six hits in the contest to Ohio State’s three.

The Lady Vols and Buckeyes are slated to play on Sunday in the Tennessee Invitational. First pitch between Tennessee and Ohio State is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Instant Analysis: Ali Newland’s 7th-inning heroics lift LSU softball to series win over Kentucky

LSU moves to 21-0 and remains the last unbeaten softball team in Division I.

The LSU softball team found itself in another dogfight in Saturday’s Game 2 against Kentucky, but some more late-game magic allowed the Tigers to remain unbeaten on the season with a series-clinching 4-3 win.

LSU got going early on offense, with [autotag]Ali Newland[/autotag] and [autotag]Raeleen Gutierrez[/autotag] both hitting RBI singles to give it a 2-0 lead. Kentucky would answer, however, with a run in the bottom of the frame.

The Wildcats would later tie it in the third with a homer off [autotag]Kelley Lynch[/autotag]. The game then remained deadlocked until the sixth inning, when [autotag]Maci Bergeron[/autotag] hit an RBI single to retake the lead, but that wouldn’t last long.

Lynch allowed a double to lead off the bottom of the frame, and a throwing error allowed an unearned run to cross and tie the game once again.

Newland gave the Tigers another lead, however, in the form of an RBI single in the seventh. In the bottom of the frame, [autotag]Raelin Chaffin[/autotag] allowed a walk, but there were no other incidents as she closed things out.

LSU, now 21-0 on the season, will be back in action on Sunday as it looks for a sweep. Game 3 in Lexington is set for 11 a.m. CT.

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Nebraska goes 2-0 in first day of the Razorback Rumble

The Nebraska softball team opened the Razorback Rumble with a doubleheader on Friday

The Nebraska softball team opened the Razorback Rumble with a doubleheader on Friday after its initial game against Arkansas was canceled. The Huskers faced Northern Iowa and St. Francis and won both games.

Nebraska started the day against Northern Iowa and delivered a 13-3 six-inning victory. The Huskers brought in their 13 runs off 14 hits, including a season-high three home runs. Billie Andrews hit 3-of-4, including her 50th career home run.

Samantha Bland, Katelyn Caneda and Ava Bredwell, the final three hitters in the lineup, combined for five hits, two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. Sydney Gray also struck a home run in the win.

Sarah Harness started for Nebraska at pitcher and allowed two runs in 1.0 inning. Kaylin Kinney earned the win in relief, allowing only one run in 5.0 innings.

In the win over St. Francis, Nebraska earned the victory in the seventh inning. The Huskers trailed 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh but scored three runs to claim the 7-6 win.

Bella Bacon drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI single. Bredwell followed it up with an RBI single of her own, tying the game. Caneda delivered the go-ahead score with an RBI single.

Caitlin Olensky started in the circle for Nebraska and faced 17 batters. Olensky threw two strikeouts and surrendered three hits and two runs. Kinney earned the win as a pitcher.

The Huskers will conclude the Razorback Rumble on Saturday with a doubleheader. Nebraska will face St. Francis and South Alabama, with the first game starting at 10:00 a.m. and the second game to proceed it.

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Lady Vols defeat Missouri State, South Dakota in Tennessee Invitational

Laura Mealer hits four home runs as Tennessee defeats Bears and Coyotes in Tennessee Invitational.

No. 8 Tennessee (16-4) opened play in the Tennessee Invitational Friday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

The Lady Vols run-ruled Missouri State (3-11), 16-0 in five innings. Tennessee also defeated South Dakota (10-11), 6-0, in game No. 2.

Laura Mealer went 3-for-3, recording three home runs and five RBIs, while Kiki Milloy went 3-for-4 with four runs and one RBI for Tennessee.

McKenna Gibson went 3-for-3, recording one double, four RBIs and two runs, while Zaida Puni went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run for the Lady Vols.

Tennessee’s Payton Gottshall (6-2) pitched four innings, recording five strikeouts. Charli Orsini pitched one inning and recorded one strikeout.

In game No. 2, Mealer and Puni each hit one home run, while Milloy went 2-for-4, recording one double, one RBI, one run and one stolen base.

Karlyn Pickens pitched a complete game for Tennessee, recording 13 strikeouts.