No. 1 seeded OU softball (51-8) defeated Michigan (36-22) 8-1 to win the Norman Regional Sunday.
In OU’s first game against the Wolverines since 2016, the Sooners secured their 16th consecutive regional win.
Here are three takeaways:
Fast start
OU got out to yet another hot start in the first few innings against Michigan.
As the assigned visiting team, the Sooners batted first and put three runs on the board in the top of the first. Freshman outfielder Kai Minor led off the game with a double, as the first four Sooner batters all reached base. Sophomore infielder Gabbie Garcia scored Minor on a single, while senior catcher Isabela Emerling scored two on a single later in the inning.
“The thing I’m most happy about is that we come out and just set a tone right from the start,” head coach Patty Gasso said.
Pitching success
While OU did not shut out Michigan, the pitching stayed dominant like in the first two games of the regional round.
Sophomore Audrey Lowry started the game for the Sooners and picked up the win, allowing only three baserunners and one run in 4.2 innings of work. Senior Kierston Deal pitched an inning in relief, while fellow senior Sydney Berzon closed the game. The Sooners did not allow a baserunner in the final five innings of the game.
“Audrey was efficient,” Gasso said. “She’s really become a professional in the way of planning. That’s what I love about her. She writes things in her book and almost kind of journals after each inning and knows exactly what she needs to do better.”
Kai Minor’s success
Batting leadoff, Kai Minor played well for the Sooners during regionals.
Following her leadoff double this game, she hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to extend OU’s lead to 5-1. She also hit a double to start the game in OU’s postseason opener against Binghamton, where she came around to score the game’s first run.
“Kai’s doing amazing right now, and she’s (going to) continue to do amazing. It sets a tone and brings a presence and a fire,” Garcia said.
The Sooners will face Mississippi State (41-18) in the Super Regional round, starting noon Friday.
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel.
