USA Softball top 10 finalist for National Player of the Year Danielle Williams had just about made it through the Oklahoma Sooners lineup without much of a threat from the top offense in softball. Staked to a 1-0 lead after Rachel Lewis’ solo shot in the Northwestern half of the third, it looked like Oklahoma was in for a battle.
Then Riley Boone happened.
Known for her speed and her desire to put the ball on the ground and run, the Wildcats’ defense was playing in, even in the outfield. Boone then did her best Jayda Coleman impression, launching the ball over the head of Rachel Lewis in right field for a double to lead off the third inning.
Jana Johns drove Boone home with an RBI single. Johns moved to second on a single by Jayda Coleman and after a wild pitch moved Johns and Coleman up a base, Jocelyn Alo was given a free pass to load the bases for Tiare Jennings with no outs.
With a 1-1 lead in the top of the third, Jennings made Williams pay for leaning on her change up a bit too much and launched a ball to deep center field that cleared the fences for a grand slam. It was Jennings’ third grand slam of the season and 25th home run.
At the end of the inning, the Sooners had a 6-1 lead and the ball game felt over at that point. But that wouldn’t stop Oklahoma from pouring it on and sending a message to the rest of the college softball world. Oklahoma would add seven more runs in the bottom of the fourth including a Jana Johns grand slam for her 12th home run of the season.
It was a fantastic way to start the Women’s College World Series as the Oklahoma Sooners look to repeat as national champions. Sooners Nation enjoyed the action and reacted on social media.