Super Regional: Five Things to Watch

By Andrew Gilman | SoonerSports.com

NORMAN, Okla. -- 5 Things to watch this weekend when Arizona and Oklahoma play for the right to go to the Women's College World Series

1. K is for Keilani
Already the school record-holder for strikeouts, OU's ace has been even better in the postseason. In the three wins last weekend during the regional, Ricketts struck out 27 and walked just two. She also got the victory in all three games and is now 31-7 on the season with a tidy 1.05 ERA. Ricketts had 371 strikeouts on the season.

2. An Arizona rematch
A season ago, the Sooners went to Arizona for the Super Regional and swept the Wildcats. This time around, it's the Sooners who are hosting and are the higher seed. Oklahoma is the No. 4 and Arizona is No. 13. Arizona is coming off a sweep at its home regional beating North Dakota State and Notre Dame twice. Overall, it's the fourth time the two have met in the Super Regional. Arizona hasn't played in Norman since 1985.

NCAA Norman Super Regional | Preview | Tickets | Super Regional Central

3. Power potential
While the Sooners feature a great pitching staff, their hitting has been spectacular all year. Led by Lauren Chamberlain's 26 home runs, the Sooners have hit 91 this year. That total is third highest in the nation this year and was good enough to set the Big 12 single-season record. That power was on definite display during the regional weekend as the Sooners outscored their opposition 32-4. Jessica Shults, who hit a grandslam in the clincher against Oregon State, is second on the team with 18 home runs. Ricketts has 15 and is batting a team-best .406 this season.

4. National exposure
Oklahoma City will be the center of the softball universe during the College World Series, but the Sooners will get some ESPN airtime this weekend. The 1 p.m. Friday game against Arizona will be on ESPNU with Pam Ward and Michelle Smith on the call. The teams will play again at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN. If a third game is necessary, it will follow on Saturday.

5. Good vs. Good
Everyone knows about how effective Ricketts has been this season, but she is complemented by Michelle Gascoigne who is 16-1 with a 1.49 ERA. The two will likely need to be at their best against Arizona. The Wildcats are led by Hallie Wilson, who is hitting .354 with 64 hits. That hit total would be second-best on OU's team. Shelby Pendley has 19 home runs, providing the Wildcats with plenty of power.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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