No. 1 Oklahoma (48-2. 18-0 Big 12) swept No. 12 Oklahoma State (37-14, 13-5 Big 12) in a three game series to earn the Sooners' eighth straight Big 12 regular season championship and to become the first team in Big 12 history to go undefeated in the conference in back-to-back seasons.
Here's a recap of the weekend.
Oklahoma 3, Oklahoma State 0
The first Bedlam matchup was a pitcher's duel early, as neither team plated a run in the first three innings. Junior Giselle Juarez, who made the start in the circle for Oklahoma, had seven straight strikeouts midway through the third and did not allow a hit until the sixth inning.
Senior Caleigh Clifton broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run to right field, which was followed in the next at-bat by a home run from sophomore Jocelyn Alo.
Senior Sydney Romero hit a double to put runners on second and third in the bottom of the fifth, but the Sooners were unable to bring them home.
The Pokes loaded the bases in the top of the sixth with two outs, but Juarez induced a strikeout to end the inning and avoid the threat.
In the bottom of the sixth, freshman Grace Green hit an RBI double to bring home Alo and expand the Sooners' lead to three.
Juarez pitched the top of the seventh and sealed the win for Oklahoma. She finished the game with 13 strikeouts and allowed just one hit and two walks.
Oklahoma 7, Oklahoma State 1
The Sooners seized the lead early in game two. Romero scored on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Clifton in the top of the first inning. Romero then hit a two RBI home run in the third inning, which was followed by an RBI triple from Clifton.
Oklahoma State responded with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, but a two-RBI single from senior Falepolima Aviu in the sixth and an RBI from sophomore Lynnsie Elam in the seventh put the game away for good.
Junior Mariah Lopez made the start in the circle for the Sooners, where she pitched all seven innings and allowed just two hits while striking out nine. The win puts her season record at 17-1.
Oklahoma 6, Oklahoma State 1
Alo and Green helped the Sooners take over early in game three, as each homered to left field in the first inning to drive home a combined three runs.
The Cowgirls cut the Sooners lead to two with a home run of their own in the bottom of the second, but a sacrifice fly from Green in the third inning scored senior Falepolima Aviu and provided Oklahoma some breathing room.
In the top of the seventh, junior Nicole Mendes singled up the middle to score Clifton and Romero.
Junior Shannon Saile made the start in the circle for the Sooners and pitched all seven innings while striking out nine and allowing just three hits. The win puts Saile's season record at 10-1.
Postseason play will begin Friday as Oklahoma competes in the Big 12 Tournament. Game times will be released at a later date.
