After suffering their first Big 12 series loss since 2011, with two defeats in three games against Texas last weekend, head coach Patty Gasso’s team rebounded strongly on Tuesday night during their away game. Oklahoma’s offensive power, with nine hits, propelled them to a commanding 7-0 victory over Wichita State.
Despite recent knee issues, Kinzie Hansen showcased her full health and played a leading role for the Sooners (36-2, 13-2 Big 12) with two hits and three RBIs. In contrast, the Shockers (18-15, 9-6 AAC) struggled with just four hits throughout the game.
Kierston Deal delivered an exceptional performance against the Shockers. Deal allowed only one hit, didn’t concede any runs or walks, and struck out nine Wichita State batters in 5.1 innings. This marked Deal’s fourth consecutive outing without giving up a run. Throughout the season, the sophomore left-handed pitcher has been dominant, boasting an impressive 0.77 ERA in 20 appearances, and she appeared to be in top form during this game.
The Sooners were determined to make an early impact after struggling to score against the Longhorns. They succeeded when Alyssa Brito hammered a double to left field off Wichita State pitcher Lauren Howell, driving Jayda Coleman home from second base and opening the scoring. Brito, who finished the game with a 2-for-3 performance and three RBIs, is maintaining an impressive .416 batting average this season.
Although Oklahoma managed to get hits in each of the last four innings, they couldn’t convert them into runs in the final five innings. Wichita State’s left-handed pitcher, Alison Cooper, showcased an impressive performance during her six-inning relief appearance and recorded five strikeouts.
Looking ahead, the Sooners will return home for a three-game series against BYU (21-16, 4-11) at Love’s Field from April 11-13. The games on Thursday and Friday will start at 6 p.m., while Saturday’s game is scheduled for 1 p.m. All the games will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
