Tag: Tiare Jennings

Sooners open series with 8-0 run-rule win over the Houston Cougars

The Oklahoma Sooners got off to a hot start in their series opener against the Houston Cougars, and Kelly Maxwell pitched another gem to lead Oklahoma to an 8-0 run-rule win in walk-off fashion. Taking on a Houston team that has the second-lowest …

The Oklahoma Sooners got off to a hot start in their series opener against the Houston Cougars, and [autotag]Kelly Maxwell[/autotag] pitched another gem to lead Oklahoma to an 8-0 run-rule win in walk-off fashion.

Taking on a Houston team that has the second-lowest batting average and the highest ERA in Big 12 play, the Sooners struck early.

Maxwell recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, and the Sooners’ offense quickly went to work in the bottom half of the inning.

[autotag]Jayda Coleman[/autotag] walked to lead off the game and moved to third on a two-out single by [autotag]Kinzie Hansen[/autotag]. [autotag]Alynah Torres[/autotag] put OU on the board first with a three-run home run. It was Torres’ eighth home run of the season and part of a 2-for-2 evening with four RBIs and two runs scored.

Oklahoma had opportunities with runners on in the second but were unable to capitalize. The Sooners put pressure on Houston again in the third with the bases loaded and nobody out. All they could muster was one run on a fielder’s choice from [autotag]Cydney Sanders[/autotag] to make it 4-0.

[autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag] led off the fourth with a walk and moved to third on Hansen’s base hit. Torres picked up her fourth RBI of the game on a grounder to the pitcher, scoring Jennings from third to make it 5-0. After a fielder’s choice put Hansen on third, the Sooners’ star catcher stole home to make it 6-0 and put the Sooners in complete control.

With the way Maxwell was pitching, Houston had little hope at that point. She threw five innings, allowing two hits and three walks, and recorded five strikeouts. Maxwell didn’t allow a runner past second base in a performance that helped the Sooners ace move to 14-1 on the season. The Sooners defense picked her up with double plays in the second and third innings.

Not satisfied, the Sooners continued to pour the offense on in the sixth inning. Kinzie Hansen led off with a single and advanced to third on Avery Hodge’s single to centerfield. [autotag]Quincee Lilio[/autotag] walked to load the bases, and Sanders walked for the 34th time in 2024 to drive in a run and make it 7-0 Sooners. With two outs in the inning and the Cougars hoping to play all seven, [autotag]Jayda Coleman[/autotag] walked it off with a RBI single to secure the Sooners win.

After her 10-game hitting streak was snapped against Tulsa, Kinzie Hansen responded with a 3-for-4 night to help lead the way at the plate. Coleman, Jennings, Torres, and [autotag]Riley Ludlam[/autotag] each had two hits on the night. Along with Hansen, Jennings and Coleman also reached base three times, each earning a walk to go along with their two-hit nights.

With the victory, Oklahoma improved to 40-4 on the season and 16-3 in Big 12 play. They remain one game ahead of the Texas Longhorns and two games ahead of Oklahoma State in the Big 12 regular season title race.

The Sooners are back in action for game two of the series on Saturday night at 6 p.m. CT. Oklahoma will close the series with Houston on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. Both games can be seen on ESPN+.

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‘We’re going to fix that’: Patty Gasso on the Sooners leaving too many runners on base

The Oklahoma Sooners are having another really good offensive season, but can improve when they get runners on base.

The Oklahoma Sooners softball team lost another game this weekend giving them four losses on the season. They still won the series over the [autotag]BYU Cougars[/autotag].

But throughout the series, the Sooners’ batters looked off balance, thanks to a really solid performance by the Cougars’ pitching staff. Still, Oklahoma did what they’ve done almost every time they’ve had a letdown: respond.

This team’s issue recently is hitting with runners on. We are not used to seeing this from Oklahoma, but it’s a concern. There have been a number of occasions when a runner runs themselves into an out or gets doubled up on a line drive. Oklahoma just hasn’t been as sound on the base paths or at the plate when they have opportunities to cash in.

Patty Gasso talked about that after Saturday’s win. “We’re getting on but we left 11 runners on base and that’s just too much for this team,” Gasso said. “But we’re getting on base so we can be encouraged by that and we’re going to fix that. I’m certain of that.”

If the Sooners are able to fix that, they probably will win their fourth straight national championship. They’ve been great in 2024 yet again and still, there’s room for improvement, especially with runners on base.

Now, Friday the pitching and defense weren’t great, but it’s been pretty good all year. It’s the hitting that has cost them more than the pitching. They need to find a way pick up if the Sooners want to win the NCAA overall No. 1 seed and win another national title.

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Texas Longhorns shut down Oklahoma Sooners’ high-powered offense

Oklahoma’s offense was held in check in their first conference series loss in over a decade.

The Oklahoma Sooners were unable to leave Austin, TX with a series win over the Texas Longhorns. It was the first time the Sooners dropped a series to their Red River Rivals since 2009. OU took Game 1 but scored two total runs in the next two games, losing both 2-1.

It was shocking to see the nation’s top offense held in check like that. They entered the series averaging nearly 11 runs per game in conference play but mustered just two runs per game against Texas. The Longhorns deserve a lot of credit for how they played, but still, we aren’t used to seeing that from an Oklahoma team.

Alyssa Brito discussed the offensive struggles after the game. “I think that we didn’t adjust when we knew they were making adjustments themselves,” Brito said. “They did a really great job of constantly changing up their plans, and I think that we knew we were better than what we showed and how we responded. But I also just think we need to stay within ourselves. I’m not too worried about it, honestly.”

There isn’t much cause for concern right now with the Sooners and their offense. Coming into the season, the question marks were around the pitching and not the hitting. But the pitching was outstanding against a very good Texas offense.

That’s a positive you can take away. I think the hitting has been so good for so long that they get the benefit of the doubt moving forward.

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Oklahoma Sooners’ pitching the lone bright spot over the weekend

While there isn’t a lot of positives to take away from the weekend, you can take away just how great the pitching was from the Sooners.

When you lose your first conference series in over a decade, there aren’t a lot of positives for fans to take away. Especially with how you lost the series.

The Oklahoma Sooners’ offense managed to score just seven runs in the three games, but there is one bright spot from the weekend. The pitching and defense were really good against one of the best offenses in the country.

[autotag]Kelly Maxwell[/autotag], [autotag]Nicole May[/autotag], [autotag]Karlie Keeney[/autotag], [autotag]Kierston Deal[/autotag] and [autotag]Paytn Monticelli[/autotag] held one of the best offenses in the country to just six runs in three games. Maxwell was dominant in Game 1 and got the start again in Game 3 and threw really well.

Patty Gasso spoke about her thought process giving Maxwell two starts in the series. “Another level,” Gasso said. “This is the best I’ve seen her. (She is) confident, cool, calm, execution, getting ahead. I liked it so much the first night, I wanted to see it again. She handled herself really well. I’m telling you, their offense and our offense, it’s almost side by side, identical. So, for us to shut them down to two runs, that’s a big deal.”

Holding them to two runs per game for the series would normally end in a series sweep for the Sooners. But Texas shutting Oklahoma’s lineup down to one run in the final two games of the series was the difference.

“I knew that today (Sunday) was going to be tough,” Kelly Maxwell said. “Credit Texas’ offense for picking up on my mistakes. I think there is just more opportunity to learn and grow from this weekend.”

The Sooners will have a day to regroup before traveling to face Wichita State on Tuesday.

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‘We needed to feel this’: Patty Gasso on Oklahoma’s first conference series loss in over a decade

It was a tough weekend for the Oklahoma Sooners but Patty Gasso has faith her team will bounce back.

It was a tough weekend for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners took on their Red River Rival, the Texas Longhorns, and dropped their first conference series since 2011.

If you had told me the Sooners’ pitching and defense would have held Texas’ high-powered offense to six runs in three games, I would have thought the Sooners would have swept the series. But the Sooners only mustered seven runs themselves and five of those came in the game one win. Over the final two games, Oklahoma was held to just two runs.

It was a very uncharacteristic performance for the Sooners, who have had one of the top offenses in the sport for several years now.

But Patty Gasso feels they can take some positives from those performances. “We needed this,” Gasso said. “We needed to feel this. Are we broken? Are we shaken? Absolutely not. What we need to do, and we know, is go back to Norman and reset. To face a crowd that was outstanding, and I’ll tell you, as someone who is advocating for growing our sport, we love those crowds even though they’re against us. They are very vocal. We love it.”

The Sooners don’t have much time to sit on the loss, which can be good sometimes. They have a chance to respond to what happened this weekend on Tuesday against Wichita State.

One thing we are seeing from this team that we may have not seen in the past is they aren’t as invincible as they once were. Is that because they have fallen off a bit, or has the rest of the softball world started to catch up? It’s probably a little bit of both, but if there is one team or one coach that can figure it out, it’s the Oklahoma Sooners and Patty Gasso.

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Texas Longhorns beat Oklahoma Sooners 2-1 on controversial call

Oklahoma lost their second game of the season as this one comes after a controversial late call.

The Oklahoma Sooners took on the Texas Longhorns in Game 2 of their three-game series on Saturday.

[autotag]Jayda Coleman[/autotag] singled to start the game but was forced out on a ground ball by [autotag]Alyssa Brito[/autotag]. [autotag]Kasidi Pickering[/autotag] doubled off the wall to put runners at second and third. [autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag] drove home Brito to give the Sooners a 1-0 lead in the first.

[autotag]Nicole May[/autotag] started in the circle for the Sooners. She walked one but was otherwise clean in the bottom of the first inning.

Texas threatened in the second inning, putting a runner on second. Oklahoma’s [autotag]Rylie Boone[/autotag] made a great catch in the outfield to keep the Longhorns scoreless.

Texas took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Texas ran itself out of a bigger inning when a runner left base early and was called out on a pitch that was hit off the wall.

The Sooners had an opportunity in the seventh. Texas outfielder Kayden Henry made a fantastic catch on an Alynah Torres liner for the first out. Cydney Sanders grounded out to third for the second out, but Kinzie Hanse gave the Sooners hope with a single.

With two outs, Boone launched a ball over Henry.

Maya Bland, running for Hansen, received the green light from Patty Gasso to try to score, but she was tagged out at the plate. Initially, it looked as if Reese Atwood obstructed her path to the plate. Upon review, it was determined the errant throw created the obstructed path. As a result, the call stood. Bland was out, and Texas won 2-1.

May threw 4 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six.

Game 3 of the series takes place Sunday at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+ and the Longhorn Network.

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Oklahoma Sooners’ early count aggressiveness key in win

Oklahoma were ultra aggressive earlier in the count than they have at most points during the season and that proved big in their win.

The Oklahoma Sooners had a big challenge when heading into this weekend’s series vs. their Red River rival. Not only do the Texas Longhorns have one of the best offenses in the country, they’ve got a really good pitching staff as well.

The Sooners countered that by being aggressive early and often. That’s not something we’ve seen a whole lot from Oklahoma this year. There are times they are aggressive but I feel like mostly they are really patient hitters.

This game seemed to be different. They had their moments of patience but overall were more aggressive and it paid off.

Jayda Coleman talked about the mindset going into the game. “It was to be aggressive,” Coleman said. “Hit a pitch that we liked to hit. Their pitchers are really good. They paint both sides of the plate. Just getting the pitch that you want and not falling into any traps. I think we did a really good job at doing that today.”

Coleman had another huge day at the plate. She had two hits on four at-bats but drove in four of the five runs, including a three-run home run. She continues her hot streak at the plate which has been big for Oklahoma’s offense

She has four home runs in the Sooners last four games after three a week ago against Kansas. As the Sooners get ready for game two against Texas, they’ll need more of that from their start centerfielder.

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Tiare Jennings’ great defensive play helps lead to win over Texas

Oklahoma’s defense was great once again, capped by a great play by one of the captains.

We wrote this week about how big the Oklahoma defense would need to be if the Sooners hoped to knock off the Texas Longhorns this weekend.

Texas has one of the best offenses in the country and the defense locked them down in Game 1, capped by an incredible play by [autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag].

Texas scored twice in the seventh inning and had two on with the tying run at the plate. Katie Stewart hit a rocket to the left side that went off [autotag]Alyssa Brito[/autotag]’s glove. Jennings snagged it out of the air while throwing to first to get the final out.

Kelly Maxwell talked about that incredible play to end the game.

“It just shows how talented she is in those types of moments,” Maxwell said. “I mean, we’re playing free, and we’re playing for something bigger than the game of softball, so for her just to step up in that moment was huge.”

That’s the kind of player Jennings has been her whole career. That’s why moving her from second base to shortstop was not a risky move. You know, when it matters most, she’s going to step up and make a play.

Which she did once again as she continues to do time and time again.

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Kelly Maxwell hitting her stride at the right time

Kelly Maxwell has been huge for Oklahoma this year and lately she’s been taking her game to a new level.

The Oklahoma Sooners moved to 35-1 on the season after a 5-2 opening series win against the Texas Longhorns. It was a dominant defensive effort led by [autotag]Kelly Maxwell[/autotag]’s 10 strikeouts.

Maxwell has been hot in her last two outings. She had nine strikeouts last week against the [autotag]Kansas Jayhawks[/autotag] and allowed only one run. In this game she allowed only two runs to one of the best offenses in the country while striking out 10 Longhorns.

Through six innings she’s allowed just one walk and one hit before getting into some trouble in the bottom of the seventh.

Maxwell spoke about what has been working for her lately. “I think still just working through what I’ve been working so hard with Coach Rocha, finding my routine and staying with it,” Maxwell said. “Just being in control on my tempo, on my behalf. So, just feeding balls to the defense and letting them be behind me.”

When you’ve got the top defense in the country behind you, that’s all you need to do. Let them do the work for you, just keep the ball in play for them. That’s what the pitching staff has been so good at for Oklahoma the last few seasons.

Maxwell is already a great pitcher so when you put the top defense behind her, it makes her job even easier. But there is no doubt they need her to keep it up to close out the year if they want a chance at winning four straight.

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Oklahoma Sooners hang on to beat Texas 5-2 in series opener

Kelly Maxwell was phenomenal through six innings, and Jayda Coleman provided the difference at the plate in the Oklahoma Sooners 5-2 win over Texas.

[autotag]Kelly Maxwell[/autotag] was phenomenal through six innings, and [autotag]Jayda Coleman[/autotag]’s three-run homer proved to be the difference in the Sooners’ 5-2 win over the Texas Longhorns.

In a highly-anticipated top-five matchup, the game lived up to the billing as Maxwell and Longhorns starter Mac Morgan battled to keep the score low.

The Sooners got things going in the third inning. However, a heads-up challenge from Texas head coach Mike White and solid defensive positioning from the Horns prevented Oklahoma from creating a bigger inning.

After her single moved Maya Bland to third, Kinzie Hansen was called out for leaving the base early on a [autotag]Rylie Boone[/autotag] single, which wiped Oklahoma’s first run off the board and put Bland back on third. Instead of first and third and nobody out, the Sooners gave up an out with Hansen’s aggressiveness.

It ultimately didn’t matter as the Sooners cashed in, but the inning could have been bigger.

But Boone came through with one out, and Jayda Coleman’s drive to left could have gone for extra bases, but White had his team playing the line to take the double away, and [autotag]Patty Gasso[/autotag] was forced to hold Boone at third. Coleman drove in Bland to put the Sooners on the board. On the next at-bat, [autotag]Alyssa Brito[/autotag] drove in Boone to make it 2-0.

The Sooners then got things going again in the fifth, again on a rally started by the back half of the order.

In the fifth, Hansen looked to drive a double down the line, but another timely challenge from White ruled that the ball was foul as it went past third base. Hansen then grounded into a fielder’s choice. Rylie Boone singled on a chopper to put two on with one out for the reigning Big 12 and National Player of the Week, Jayda Coleman.

Facing a 2-2 count, Coleman launched a ball to right field for a three-run home run to put Oklahoma up 5-0.

More: By the Numbers: No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 4 Texas Longhorns

Things got interesting in the bottom of the seventh when Joley Mitchell singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. One of the best hitters in the nation, Reese Atwood, doubled down the left field line to score Mitchell and get the Longhorns on the board. Leighanne Goode walked and Viviana Martinez moved Adayah Wallace to third on a fielder’s choice. Ashton Maloney’s sacrifice fly scored Wallace to make it 5-2 and after a walk to Victoria Hunter, freshman Katie Stewart came up to the plate as the tying run with two outs.

The broadcast team mentioned during her at bat that in pregame batting practice, Stewart hit a ball over the fence and into the apartments beyond the stadium, breaking a window. With that kind of power, Texas was one swing away from tying the ball game. Stewart battled to a full count and Kelly Maxwell induced a groundball to [autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag] to close out the game and secure the win.

The Texas Longhorns offense came into this game sixth in the nation in scoring and second in batting average. Maxwell held them to two runs on three hits, three walks and recorded 10 strikeouts. At one point in time, Maxwell had struck out 7 of the 11 Longhorns batters that she’d faced.

After hitting .857 last weekend against Kansas, Coleman was the hero in this one, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Rylie Boone was the only other Sooners hitter with multiple hits on an evening where the vaunted Sooners lineup only collected seven hits. [autotag]Cydney Sanders[/autotag] walked twice

The win moved Oklahoma to 35-1 on the season and 13-0 in Big 12 play. The Sooners are now four games up on Texas in the regular season conference title race. Oklahoma State beat Houston to stay within three games.

It was the Sooners ninth win in a row over the Longhorns and they extended their nation leading win streak to 17 games.

Oklahoma and Texas get back at it on Saturday for game two of the Red River Rivalry series in Austin. That game can be seen on ESPN with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.

More: How to watch No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 4 Texas Longhorns

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