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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma (55-6, 22-5 Big 12) defeated Duke (52-8, 20-4 ACC) 9-1 in six innings in the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park on Thursday.

Senior catcher Kinzie Hansen led the Sooners offense, going 2 for 3, recording three RBIs and a home run.

Here are the three takeaways from the Sooners’ win:

Sooners offense finds momentum in the third and carries it the rest of the game

Oklahoma had no luck getting on the scoreboard in the first. They recorded a couple of singles in the second and a stolen base by freshman utility Kasidi Pickering. Despite the struggles in the first two innings, the tide changed for the Sooners in the third.

Duke replaced sophomore pitcher Cassidy Curd with senior pitcher Jala Wright. The Blue Devils had hoped that the switch would have been beneficial to them. However, the Sooners were ready.

Senior catcher Kinzie Hansen hit a two-run home run off Wright, her 10th of the season and sixth career home run at the Women’s College World Series. The homer gave the Sooners a 2-1 lead over Duke and injected some energy into the Sooners lineup.

Senior utility Alynah Torres followed Hansen with a two-run homer of her own off Wright and provided OU some cushion over the Blue Devils with a 4-1 lead.

The Oklahoma offense carried their momentum into the fourth.

Once again using the frequently mentioned ‘pass the bat’ mentality, junior infielder Cydney Sanders added another two-run home run to give the Sooners a five-run lead.

Hansen also added to her performance when she hit an RBI single to left field, bringing home freshman outfielder Maya Bland. The run gave OU a 7-1 lead.

Senior infielder Alyssa Brito secured the win for the Sooners when she recorded a two-run single, sending in senior shortstop Tiare Jennings and Jayda Coleman.

Overall, Oklahoma went 11 for 28 at the plate and drew three walks.

Maxwell loses control, Deal comes in relief

Graduate transfer pitcher Kelly Maxwell started in the circle for the Sooners against Duke. She performed well in the first, getting a 1-2-3 inning.

However, in the second, a mistake occurred when she gave up a solo home run to the Blue Devils’ senior catcher Francesca Frelick, which led to Oklahoma falling behind 1-0. Despite giving up the homer, the left-hander struck out two batters, but once again faced struggles in the same inning, allowing two walks.

The third went much better for the left-hander, as she once again recorded a 1-2-3 inning. However, the fourth was difficult for the graduate transfer.

Maxwell walked two more batters and hit a batter. That led to the bases loaded and Maxwell being replaced by sophomore pitcher Kierston Deal.

Deal was able to end the inning and get the Sooners out of the jam.

The sophomore pitcher carried over her consistency from the fourth into the fifth and sixth, allowing two hits and no runs.

Coleman continues to save runs

Last week on May 24th in the Norman Super Regional against Florida State, Sooners senior outfielder Jayda Coleman made a home-run saving catch in the fifth inning.

Coleman once again made a run saving catch in the fourth against Duke when bases were loaded in the Women’s College World Series.

Not only did Coleman prevent the Blue Devils from scoring with her diving catch, but she also swung the bat well.

The Texan went for 2 for 4, including recording a double and a stolen base.

Next, the Sooners will face UCLA (43-10, 17-4 Pac-12) on Saturday at 2 p.m. on ABC.

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