Tag: 2024 Oklahoma Softball

Oklahoma Sooners historic 71-game win streak comes to an end

All good things must come to an end as the Sooners are stunned vs. Lousiana.

The Oklahoma Sooners took on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for the second time this weekend to complete a five-game weekend. And for the first time in more than a year, the Sooners took a loss, falling to Louisiana 7-5 in eight innings.

Things did not start well for Oklahoma as [autotag]Kelly Maxwell[/autotag] got the start and the Sooners quickly found themselves down 2-0 at the top of the 4th inning. [autotag]Karlie Keeney[/autotag] came on in relief but walked a batter with the bases loaded to increase Louisiana’s lead to 3-0. The Sooners offense struggled to get anything going for much of the contest off of Ragin’ Cajun starter Chloe Riasetto.

The bottom of the fourth is where it looked like the Sooners would start to get going as Kinzie Hansen hit a two-run home run to cut the Ragin’ Cajuns lead to 3-2. But anytime the Sooners looked like they were about to settle down, Louisiana answered. They visitors scored a run in the top of the 7th inning as [autotag]Alyssa Britto[/autotag] fielded a ground ball before firing it home to Hansen. Hansen ended up mishandling the ball, allowing the runner to score to extend the lead to 4-2.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Sooners were down two runs with one out. [autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag] came up to bat and cut the lead to one with an RBI single. [autotag]Riley Ludlam[/autotag] came in to pinch hit and looped a ball into shallow right field that was misplayed. Maya Bland was running on contact and advanced to third. The throw home snuck through the Louisiana catcher, and Bland skirted home to tie the game.

In extra innings, Louisiana answered once again. They were able to get the bases loaded with no outs thanks to multiple errors by the Sooners’ defense. Ultimately, Lousiana was able to score three runs in the inning to go up 7-4.

[autotag]Cydney Sanders[/autotag] hit a solo shot to make it 7-5 and Alynah Torres reached first to bring the tying run to the plate. But with two outs and one on [autotag]Jayda Coleman[/autotag] stepped up to the plate with the record on the line. She grounded out to second, and the game was over. The Sooners lost 7-5, and their 71-game winning streak ended.

Their next game is Wednesday against Texas A&M Commerce at 6:00 p.m. CT.

More: Social media reacts to end of Sooners 71-game winning streak

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What can we expect from Oklahoma softball in 2024?

After a tremendous 2023 season, what can we expect from Oklahoma Softball in 2024?

The Sooners are days removed from winning their seventh national title and third straight. But it’s never too early to look at what 2024 has in store.

After the incredible 2022 season, many thought the Sooners would take a dip after losing arguably the best player of all time, Jocelyn Alo.

Not only did they not take a dip in 2023, they were even better, finishing 61-1 and on a 53-game-winning streak.

So, what can fans expect for the 2024 season? Well, it’s not fair to ask the Sooners to be better than were. Sure, they can be. But that would be asking them to do something that’s never been done before.

No team has gone undefeated. To be fair, no team had gone a whole season with only one loss until Oklahoma did it.

Next year is shaping up to be a great season. The Sooners lose Alex Storako, Grace Lyons, Haley Lee and Grace Green.

Those are big losses for the team. Storako was one of the game’s best pitchers. Lyons might be the best shortstop to ever play. Lee was a huge contributor this year after transferring from Texas A&M. Green was a role player off the bench who always seemed to get a hit when called upon.

But look for the Sooners to reload. Kierston Deal was the nation’s No. 1 player coming out of high school in 2022 and had some really good moments as a true freshman. She will most likely replace Storako.

Jocelyn Erickson was a top-10 player in that class. She flashed this season as well and will most likely get more playing time in the designated player role and in a platoon with Cydney Sanders at first base.

The Sooners also return a bunch of talent. Tiare Jennings, Jordy Bahl, Jayda Coleman, Kinzie Hansen, Nicole May, Cydney Sanders, Alyssa Brito and Rylie Boone are returning. All five of the players named to the NCAA All-Tournament team are on that list.

That doesn’t even include the additions in the recruiting class or the transfer portal.

It’s unclear what the Sooners’ record will be next year. But one thing is for sure, softball fans nationwide better get used to it because as long as Patty Gasso is at the helm, the Sooners will be contenders.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.