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Abigale Dayton delivered a bases-loaded RBI single in the ninth to help lift top-ranked OU softball to a 6-5 win over ninth-ranked Florida to open their three-game series Thursday in Gainesville, Florida.
The Sooners (43-5, 17-5 SEC) have won seven consecutive games.
OU will have to wait at least another day to clinch at least a share of the SEC regular-season title as Texas A&M beat Tennessee 1-0.
The Sooners and Gators (41-13, 12-10) will play the second game of their three-game series beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
Here are three takeaways from the Sooners’ win:
More: OU softball series at Florida reunites Patty Gasso, Tim Walton with SEC title on the line
The Sooners had prime scoring chances in both the seventh and the eighth innings.
In the seventh, Ella Parker led off with a single and a one-out walk put two runners on before Cydney Sanders and Dayton flew out back-to-back to end the inning without a run.
In the eighth, Isabela Emerling was hit by a pitch before Hannah Coor delivered a single. But Kasidi Pickering grounded into a fielder’s choice and then Gabbie Garcia grounded into a double play to end the inning.
In the ninth, OU started with back-to-back-to-back singles — from Parker, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and Ailana Agbayani — to load the bases.
After Sanders popped up for the first out, Dayton delivered the tie-breaking single to center on a 1-1 pitch.
The Sooners left 12 runners on base. Florida didn’t fare much better, stranding 10.
CARLSON: Why OU softball ace Sam Landry could've ended up pitching at Texas Tech — and why she didn't
The glasses Sam Landry wears in the circle aren’t exactly reminiscent of the ones worn by Ricky Vaughn in “Major League.”
But Landry looked the part of “Wild Thing” at times Thursday.
The Sooners’ senior ace walked two in each of the first two innings and finished with five walks and two hit batters.
But Landry battled through nine innings, throwing a complete game while striking out six to improve to 18-3 on the season and move OU within a win of clinching the SEC title.
At home, Landry uses The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” as her intro song.
Landry finished throwing a season-high 163 pitches. Her previous high was 141 in an eight-inning start against Tennessee on March 28.
More: OU softball duo named finalists for 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year
One of the hallmarks of OU’s offensive approach in recent years has been its ability to extend at-bats.
Lately, that ability has been even more pronounced.
The Sooners had several long at-bats in last week’s sweep of Texas and continued that run Thursday.
With two outs in the second inning, Dayton fouled off seven consecutive pitches from Keagan Rothrock. Agbayani stole second on the next pitch, a ball, then Dayton delivered a double into right-center field to drive in Agbayani for the game’s first run.
Dayton’s second-inning hit came on the 13th pitch of the at-bat, Agbayani worked an eight-pitch walk in the fourth, and Dayton worked a nine-pitch walk in the sixth.
Dayton finished 2 for 4 while Agbayani, Hannah Coor and Kasidi Pickering also had two hits.
Parker finished 3 for 5, capping off her night with a leadoff single in the ninth that ultimately helped set up the game-winning run.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball maintains grip atop SEC with extra-inning win at Florida
Continue reading...
The Sooners (43-5, 17-5 SEC) have won seven consecutive games.
OU will have to wait at least another day to clinch at least a share of the SEC regular-season title as Texas A&M beat Tennessee 1-0.
The Sooners and Gators (41-13, 12-10) will play the second game of their three-game series beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
Here are three takeaways from the Sooners’ win:
More: OU softball series at Florida reunites Patty Gasso, Tim Walton with SEC title on the line
OU finally takes advantage of leadoff runners
The Sooners had prime scoring chances in both the seventh and the eighth innings.
In the seventh, Ella Parker led off with a single and a one-out walk put two runners on before Cydney Sanders and Dayton flew out back-to-back to end the inning without a run.
In the eighth, Isabela Emerling was hit by a pitch before Hannah Coor delivered a single. But Kasidi Pickering grounded into a fielder’s choice and then Gabbie Garcia grounded into a double play to end the inning.
In the ninth, OU started with back-to-back-to-back singles — from Parker, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and Ailana Agbayani — to load the bases.
After Sanders popped up for the first out, Dayton delivered the tie-breaking single to center on a 1-1 pitch.
The Sooners left 12 runners on base. Florida didn’t fare much better, stranding 10.
CARLSON: Why OU softball ace Sam Landry could've ended up pitching at Texas Tech — and why she didn't
Sam Landry battles control issues
The glasses Sam Landry wears in the circle aren’t exactly reminiscent of the ones worn by Ricky Vaughn in “Major League.”
But Landry looked the part of “Wild Thing” at times Thursday.
The Sooners’ senior ace walked two in each of the first two innings and finished with five walks and two hit batters.
But Landry battled through nine innings, throwing a complete game while striking out six to improve to 18-3 on the season and move OU within a win of clinching the SEC title.
At home, Landry uses The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” as her intro song.
Landry finished throwing a season-high 163 pitches. Her previous high was 141 in an eight-inning start against Tennessee on March 28.
More: OU softball duo named finalists for 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year
Sooners continue to battle at the plate
One of the hallmarks of OU’s offensive approach in recent years has been its ability to extend at-bats.
Lately, that ability has been even more pronounced.
The Sooners had several long at-bats in last week’s sweep of Texas and continued that run Thursday.
With two outs in the second inning, Dayton fouled off seven consecutive pitches from Keagan Rothrock. Agbayani stole second on the next pitch, a ball, then Dayton delivered a double into right-center field to drive in Agbayani for the game’s first run.
Dayton’s second-inning hit came on the 13th pitch of the at-bat, Agbayani worked an eight-pitch walk in the fourth, and Dayton worked a nine-pitch walk in the sixth.
Dayton finished 2 for 4 while Agbayani, Hannah Coor and Kasidi Pickering also had two hits.
Parker finished 3 for 5, capping off her night with a leadoff single in the ninth that ultimately helped set up the game-winning run.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball maintains grip atop SEC with extra-inning win at Florida
Continue reading...
