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No. 1 Oklahoma beat No. 10 South Carolina 2-1 on Sunday at Love’s Field behind freshman left-handed pitcher Audrey Lowry’s dominant performance in the circle.

The Sooners (23-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) secured their first SEC sweep, outlasting the Gamecocks (20-3, 0-3 SEC) in a tightly contested pitcher’s duel. After allowing 18 runs in the first two games of the series, Oklahoma’s pitching tightened up, and Lowry delivered a three-hit gem to close out the weekend. 

Here are takeaways and highlights from the game: 

Lowry delivers under pressure

Lowry took the circle with a tall task—slowing down a South Carolina offense that had punished Oklahoma pitching in the first two games of the series. She rose to the challenge, keeping the Gamecocks off balance with efficient command and a composed approach in high-leverage situations.

Lowry allowed just three hits while striking out two and not issuing a single walk, forcing South Carolina to manufacture its opportunities. The Gamecocks' only run came off a solo home run in the fourth, but they struggled to string quality at-bats against the freshman outside of that.

Her biggest test came in the seventh inning when a fielding error by senior first baseman Cydney Sanders put the leadoff runner aboard, threatening to derail Oklahoma’s one-run lead. Instead, Lowry remained unfazed. She got a weak grounder up the middle that freshman shortstop Gabbie Garcia turned into a slick double play, then induced one final chopper to end the game.

“I was just really motivated, just to kind of hold them back a little because they were just taking lots and lots of swings,” Lowry said after the game. “So I mean, I was just there for the other pitchers, picking them up during the first two games and being in the bullpen and just preparing.”

Aggressive baserunning sparks early lead

Oklahoma wasted no time getting on the board, and smart baserunning set the tone. In the first inning, sophomore outfielder Kasidi Pickering advanced from first to third on redshirt freshman infielder Nelly McEnroe-Marinas’ single, then made an instinctive dash for home when South Carolina’s right fielder Abigail Knight misplayed the ball.

Initially content to hold at third, Pickering saw an opening as Knight bobbled the ball and relayed it toward second base. She sprinted toward home, narrowly beating the throw to put the Sooners up 1-0.

The decision even caught head coach Patty Gasso off guard.

“I was completely shocked,” Gasso said, laughing after the game. “I’m just standing there like, ‘What are you doing?’ And I thought for sure she was going to get thrown out at home plate, and I think if you see her reaction afterwards, you know she was lucky to be safe. She was kind of embarrassed. But it sparked the team, which we wanted going into the game. We always try to go in and score first, so that was a fun way to do it, I guess.”

The Sooners doubled their lead later in the inning with another heads-up play. Garcia dropped down a surprise bunt, forcing Gamecock third baseman Ella Chancey into a hurried throw to first. The throw sailed wide, rolling up the right field line, and McEnroe-Marinas took advantage, sprinting home from third to give OU a 2-0 lead.

Sooners’ bats go quiet after fast start

Oklahoma’s offense struck early with aggressive baserunning and a heads-up play, but South Carolina’s pitching took control after the first inning. The Sooners, who had put up 23 runs across the first two games of the series, suddenly found themselves struggling to make solid contact against Gamecock right-hander Jori Heard.

After giving up two runs in the opening frame, Heard locked in and retired 13 consecutive Sooners, halting Oklahoma’s momentum. The Sooners, typically known for their ability to string big innings, were held without a hit for the rest of the game. Heard’s ability to induce weak contact and force grounders allowed South Carolina to keep the game within reach despite struggling offensively.

OU finally broke the streak in the sixth inning but not in the way it had hoped. Maya Bland and Ella Parker reached base via back-to-back walks, giving the Sooners a prime opportunity to add insurance runs. However, Oklahoma couldn’t cash in, as Heard and the Gamecocks’ defense escaped the jam unscathed.

The offensive struggles starkly contrasted the first two games of the series, where Oklahoma put up two 10-9 victories. The Gamecocks adjusted well to Oklahoma’s lineup, and Heard’s ability to limit damage kept them within striking distance. While the Sooners ultimately walked away with the sweep, the game served as a reminder that even the nation’s top-ranked team isn’t invulnerable at the plate.

Next, Oklahoma travels away to face Tulsa at 5 p.m. on March 12 at Collins Family Softball Complex on SECN+ Simulcast.

Game one of double header

No. 1 Oklahoma beat No. 10 South Carolina 10-9 on Sunday at Love’s Field, behind redshirt freshman infielder Nelly McEnroe-Marinas’ two three-run homers and freshman infielder Gabbie Garcia’s walk-off RBI double. 

The Sooners (21-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) beat the Gamecocks (20-2, 0-2 SEC) in a back-and-forth offensive battle that was sealed with a walk-off RBI double from freshman infielder Gabbie Garcia, keeping their undefeated record intact.

Here are takeaways and highlights from the game: 

Back-to-back-to-back jacks

Oklahoma showed off its power in the bottom of the first with back-to-back-to-back home runs, setting the tone early on offense. McEnroe-Marinas got the party started with a three-run home run to left field for her fourth homer of the season. Garcia kept her home run streak alive with a solo shot, marking five consecutive games with a home run. Senior infielder Cydney Sanders knocked one over the center field wall for a solo shot of her own, giving the Sooners a 5-0 lead through the first inning. 

Strong defensive response

After giving up two solo home runs in the second inning, the Sooners defense provided a strong response in the third. Junior infielder/right-handed pitcher Ailana Agbayani made a sliding stop and throw from her knees for the first out of the inning. Following a double to left, Agbayani fielded another hard grounder, making the throw to first for the second out as a runner advanced to third. On a 2-2 count, redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Isabella Smith retired the side with an inside pitch called strike three for the final out of the inning, giving up one hit and no runs. 

McEnroe-Marinas does it again

The Sooners’ offense slowed down after their five-run inning in the first, but Nelly McEnroe-Marinas provided a much needed spark in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore utility player Ella Parker and sophomore outfielder Kasidi Pickering were both walked to start the inning, setting up McEnroe-Marinas to hit her second three-run homer of the afternoon and fifth home run of the season. The homer gave Oklahoma the lead 9-8, flipping the momentum back in OU’s favor after giving up five runs in the previous inning. 

Next, Oklahoma will face South Carolina for the second game of its double header Sunday, 40 minutes after the conclusion of game one on SEC Network +. 

What channel is Oklahoma vs. South Carolina on today?

TV channel: SEC Network

Start time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Love’s Field

Notes: No. 1 Oklahoma is coming off a win against No. 10 South Carolina in game one of a three game series. The win kept the Sooners’ undefeated streak alive and gave the Gamecocks their first loss of the season.

Oklahoma softball schedule

Feb. 6: Oklahoma 7, Cal State Northridge 2

Feb. 6: Oklahoma 11, San Diego State 6 (9 inn.)

Feb. 7: Oklahoma 8, Cal Baptist 0 (5 inn.)

Feb. 7: Oklahoma 13, Cal State Fullerton 3

Feb. 8: Oklahoma 9, Loyola Marymount 0

Feb 9: Oklahoma 2, Long Beach State 0 (11 inn.)

Feb. 15: Oklahoma 8, Hofstra 0 (5 inn.)

Feb. 15: Oklahoma 9, Baylor 1 (5 inn.)

Feb. 16: Oklahoma 11, Hofstra 3 (5 inn.)

Feb. 16: Oklahoma 8, Baylor 0 (5 inn.)

Feb. 22: Oklahoma 8, Tulsa 0 (5 inn.)

Feb. 23: Oklahoma 8, Wichita State 1

Feb. 24: Oklahoma 8, Bowling Green 5 (8 inn.)

Feb. 24: Oklahoma 9, Abilene Christian 1 (5 inn.)

Feb. 28: Oklahoma 9, Marshall 1 (5 inn.)

Feb. 28: Oklahoma 9, Kansas 1 (6 inn.)

March 1: Oklahoma 8, Kansas 0 (5 inn.)

March 1: Oklahoma 11, Marshall 0 (5 inn.)

March 2: Oklahoma 17, Kansas City 1 (5 inn.)

March 7: Oklahoma 10, South Carolina 9

March 9: vs. South Carolina at 1:30 p.m. (TV: SECN)

March 9: vs. South Carolina at 40 min. after conclusion of game 1 (TV: SECN+)

March 12: at Tulsa at 5 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

March 14: at Arkansas at 6 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

March 15: at Arkansas at TBA (TV: SECN+)

March 16: at Arkansas at TBA (TV: SECN)

March 19: at East Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

March 21: at Missouri at 5 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

March 22: at Missouri at 2 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

March 23: at Missouri at noon (TV: SECN+)

March 26: at Wichita State at 6 p.m. (TV: TBD)

March 28: vs. Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

March 29: vs. Tennessee at 2 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

March 30: vs. Tennessee at 1 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

April 1: at UT Arlington at 6 p.m. (TV: TBD)

April 4: vs. St. Thomas at 4 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

April 4: vs. UCF at 7 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

April 5: vs. UCF at 12:30 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

April 9: at Oklahoma State at 6:30 p.m. (TV: TBD)

April 12: at Alabama at 2:30 p.m. (TV: ESPN2)

April 13: at Alabama at 5 p.m. (TV: SECN)

April 14: at Alabama at 6 p.m. (TV: SECN)

April 18: vs. Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

April 19: vs. Mississippi State at 1 p.m. (TV: SECN)

April 20: vs. Mississippi State at 1 p.m. (TV: SECN+)

April 25: vs. Texas at 5 p.m. (TV: ESPNU)

April 26: vs. Texas at 11 a.m. (TV: ESPN2)

April 27: vs. Texas at 1 p.m. (TV: ESPN2)

May 1: at Florida at 5 p.m. (TV: SECN)

May 2: at Florida at 5 p.m. (TV: SECN)

May 3: at Florida at 2 p.m. (TV: ESPNU)

This story was edited by Josh McDaniel.

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