Sometimes a good team just runs into a good pitcher, and that can make all the difference. That’s what happened a week ago in Waco against the Baylor Bears, but that one-run loss hasn’t slowed down the defending national champion.
In the Mary Nutter Classic, the Oklahoma Sooners have continued their torrid offensive pace. They’ve scored 36 runs in four games, averaging nine runs per game. On the season, they’re averaging 8.38 runs per game.
The Sooners are getting contributions from up and down the lineup this season.
Oklahoma has nine players hitting better than .300 on the season and four better than .400. True Freshman [autotag]Jocelyn Erickson[/autotag] has made a seamless transition to the collegiate game. Erickson’s leading the team in hitting with a .560 batting average, five home runs, and 21 RBIs.
The Sooners’ offense has been really good to start the season, and still, it can be better. [autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag] hasn’t fully found her stride yet. She didn’t register a hit in Friday’s wins over Cal State Fullerton and Texas A&M but went 3 for 5 against Utah and Loyola Marymount on Saturday. She had a home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored on day two of the Mary Nutter Classic.
Arizona State transfer and national freshman of the year finalist [autotag]Cydney Sanders[/autotag] hasn’t really gotten going yet. She’s hitting just .222 on the season and hasn’t hit a home run yet. Last year for Arizona State, Sanders hit .425 with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs. She’s going to get going soon. Hopefully on Sunday against UCLA.
[autotag]Kinzie Hansen[/autotag]’s return has provided a boost this weekend. Though she’s hitting just .222, Hansen has an RBI in four straight games. Her leadership and experience at the plate will be huge for the Sooners when they face their most formidable opponent of the season to close out the weekend.
The Sooners will close out the Mary Nutter Classic in a finale against the No. 1 UCLA Bruins on Sunday. UCLA has been fantastic this season, especially from the circle, where they have a team ERA of 0.97. The Bruins offer the Sooners their stiffest challenge to date, but if the bats get hot, Oklahoma will be tough to beat.