OU softball lost to the Tennessee Volunteers Friday evening. Read more at oudaily.com.
Former Sooner catcher Sophia Nugent returned to Norman and defeated Oklahoma in a highly anticipated matchup at Love's Field.
Nugent's decision to transfer to Tennessee was announced in June 2023.
During her tenure with the Sooners, Nugent appeared in 73 games, making 19 starts. She compiled a .278 batting average, scored 22 runs, and tallied eight home runs and 28 RBIs. Defensively, she maintained a flawless fielding percentage, recording 153 putouts and seven assists without error.
The game opened with Tennessee striking first. In the top of the second inning, Amayah Doyle launched a two-run homer to give the Lady Vols an early lead. Oklahoma responded in the bottom of the third when Gabbie Garcia's sacrifice fly brought home Hannah Coor, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
bat to ball, +1 Sooners pic.twitter.com/fJcNraZMj1
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) March 29, 2025
In the bottom of the fifth, Oklahoma tied the game on a solo home run to right field by Abigale Dayton. With both teams battling in a tense back-and-forth contest, the matchup extended into extra innings, where Sophia Nugent delivered the decisive blow.
Both teams battled in a tense back-and-forth contest as the game advanced into extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Nugent stepped to the plate and crushed a two-run home run to right field, putting Tennessee ahead 4-2.
SOPHIA FREAKING NUGENT 💣Sophia gives us the lead with a two-run home run!Lady Vols 4, Sooners 2🎥 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/pY3NWiZamV
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) March 29, 2025
Moments later, Laura Mealer scored on a wild pitch, extending the Lady Vols' lead to 5-2.
After throwing 70 pitches against Wichita State, Oklahoma pitcher Sam Landry threw all eight innings against Tennessee, totaling 141 pitches. She allowed eight hits and recorded two strikeouts, with her first strikeout coming against Nugent in the sixth inning.
After the game, Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso acknowledged the challenge Tennessee presented and the impact of her former player.
"Tennessee is very good. They’re very good," Gasso said. "They’re good on defense. They’re good hitters, their pitching staff. Of course, Sophia Nugent would be the one who hit the ball out, but they’re tough to beat."
Beyond the competitive stakes, the game highlighted the interconnectedness of modern college athletics. With the NCAA transfer portal providing greater mobility for student-athletes, matchups like this one are becoming more common.
Players move on to seek new opportunities, but their legacies at former programs remain. Nugent's performance was a testament to that dynamic.
This story was edited by Hannah Bryant.
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, Hoftsra 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: Oklahoma 10, South Carolina 9
March 9: Oklahoma 2, South Carolina 1
March 12: Oklahoma 10, Tulsa 2 (6 inn.)
March 14: Oklahoma 7, Arkansas 0
March 15: Oklahoma 6, Arkansas 4
March 16: Oklahoma 10, Arkansas 7
March 19: Oklahoma 8, East Texas A&M 0 (5 inn.)
March 21: Oklahoma 8, Missouri 0
March 22: Oklahoma 1, Missouri 3
March 23: Oklahoma 5, Missouri 1
March 26: Oklahoma 19, Wichita State 16
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)
