Stay in the loop

Get our top OU and Norman stories in your inbox. Free newsletter sign up

No. 6 OU (24-2) went undefeated in the Okana Invitational, finishing 4-0 with two wins each against Louisiana (16-10) and Abilene Christian (2-22).

Here are takeaways:

Inside Sooners’ NCAA home run record  

It was a home run barrage for OU over the weekend as the Sooners became the fastest team in NCAA history to reach 100 home runs in a single season, beating their own record set in 2021. They accomplished the feat in just 25 games, powered by one of head coach Patty Gasso’s most prolific power-hitting lineups.

Freshman catcher Kendall Wells continued to carve her name into Sooner lore in her first season, blasting multiple home runs over the weekend to push her season total to 19. One of her homers left Love’s Field.

Through 26 games, Wells’ 1.690 on-base percentage plus slugging percentages (OPS) leads the team. The freshman has graced comparisons to former Sooner greats, Lauren Chamberlain and Jocelyn Alo, both prolific home run hitters. 

“Offensively, I’ve seen Jocelyn Alo; (I’ve also) seen Lauren Chamberlain. This is something new. This is different,” Gasso said on February 24. “It is some of the most elite power I’ve ever seen from a young player.”

Other Sooners contributing to the power surge include junior utility player Ella Parker with 11 home runs and sophomore shortstop Gabbie Garcia with 11. Junior outfielder Kasidi Pickering and senior catcher Isabela Emerling follow close behind with nine each. The elite display of power for OU is a main factor of its success as they look to continue the hot stretch into Southeastern Conference play.

Sooner pitching continues to dominate

In four dominant wins, the Sooners pitched three shutouts, each game with a different starter taking the circle. While sophomore Audrey Lowry continues to prove herself as the ace, three others are performing well as well. 

Gasso believes the team has a number of reliable arms that can pitch in different scenarios.

“We feel confident,” Gasso said. “I think we have two No. 1s right now; we’re in a good place.”

Freshman Allyssa Parker started the first game of the weekend and delivered a shutout, going all six innings in a 8-0 run-rule win against Abilene Christian. The victory improved her record to 2–0, as Parker allowed just two hits while striking out four and issuing no walks. Parker also made an impact at the plate, hitting her ninth home run of the season in the weekend finale and showcasing her versatility both in the circle and in the lineup.

Lowry started the second game in a 10-0 victory over Louisiana, lowering her season earned run average to 1.63 while improving her record to 11–1. She also appeared in relief during a 9-0 win over Abilene Christian Sunday, entering for sophomore Miali Guachino and pitching the final 1.2 innings to record her first save of the season. Guachino went 5.1 innings against Louisiana, allowing just one earned run on three hits and six strikeouts. 

Senior pitcher Sydney Berzon started in the finale of the four-game set, where she went 3.2 innings of no-run ball with just two hits allowed and no strikeouts. 

Despite entering the season questionable, the pitching staff has remained productive despite the absence of coach Jennifer Rocha. 

Everyone pitching in for Sooners

The Sooners were not carried solely by the home run production of Wells, Parker and Pickering. The offense has built a supporting cast of efficient hitters who continue to contribute throughout the lineup.

Freshman center fielder Kai Minor has continued to impress as the season has progressed, posting the highest batting average on the team at .547 through 26 games. Freshman first baseman Lexi McDaniel sits just behind Minor with a .523 average through 44 at-bats.

The production throughout the lineup has translated into one of the most efficient offenses in the country, with OU leading the nation in team batting average at .469, 40 points higher than the next team. The Sooners also lead the country in hits, home runs and runs batted in. 

Next, the Sooners will play Tulsa at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Love’s Field on SECN+. 

This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel.

OU Daily standards

See an error? Earning trust is our duty. We correct errors atop stories. Identify an error, request a takedown or get in touch.

Independent and free since 1916: OU is committed to our editorial independence. You can help ensure our reporting remains strong and accessible to all invested in OU and Norman.

Want to comment? We value dialogue on issues we cover. On our social media accounts, we moderate disparagements, arguments and attacks, including those directed at our staff — and ban those repeatedly failing civility. The editor considers guest column submissions.