Weekend Pair at Utah Moved to Sunday

March 30-31 | Salt Lake City

^2/2Oklahoma

Utah

KEBC 1560

NORMAN — After opening Big 12 play last week, the No. 2/2 Oklahoma softball team continues a brief break from conference contests this weekend as it heads to Salt Lake City for a pair of games at Utah.

Originally scheduled to meet on Saturday and Sunday, the Sooners and the Utes will play a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. CT. Saturday's game was moved to accommodate inclement weather and field conditions.

Both games are scheduled to be streamed for free on Facebook Watch through the Pac-12 Network Plus. Additionally, both can be heard on KEBC 1560 AM in Norman or online through the Franchise 2.

GAMEDAY STORYLINES

LAST TIME OUT

Oklahoma pushed its win streak to 20 with a 10-1, five-inning win over RV/RV Tulsa on Wednesday night at Marita Hynes Field. For the third consecutive game, the Sooners registered three home runs with two from Sydney Romero and one from Grace Lyons and Grace Green.

In the circle, Giselle Juarez remained undefeated on the year, improving to 14-0. She allowed just one hit while striking out five over 3.2 innings of work. Mariah Lopez closed the final 1.1 frames, surrendering one run on four hits.

ROAD WARRIORS

The Sooners will be road tested in 2019 with 38 of their 51 games being held on the road or at neutral sites. Oklahoma will play just 13 games at Marita Hynes Field in 2019. OU has played fewer regular season home games just three other times in the Patty Gasso era: nine in 1997, 12 in 1996 and six in 1995.

Additionally, 13 home games is the third-lowest total in the country among major conference teams this season. Only Oregon State and Iowa have fewer, each scheduled to host 12 home games in 2019.

The Sooners are playing a road-heavy schedule primarily due to Big 12 scheduling. In 2018, the Sooners' series against Iowa State was moved to Norman due to snow in Ames, Iowa. As a result, Oklahoma will travel to Ames in both 2019 and 2020 and will host just four conference games (Baylor series and one Bedlam contest) in Norman this year.

Oklahoma has shown to be up to the test, winning 46 of its last 47 true road contests and most recently sweeping then-No. 14/12 Texas Tech in three games in Lubbock, Texas.

STREAKING

With 20 consecutive wins, Oklahoma holds the longest active winning streak in Division I softball. The streak marks the seventh time in program history the Sooners have strung together 20 straight wins and ties the sixth-longest winning streak in OU annals.

THESE BATS ARE ON FIRE

The Sooners scored at least eight runs in 10 of their last 11 games, reaching 10 runs in seven of those contests.

After last weekend, Oklahoma leads the nation in batting average (.368) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.458) and slugging percentage (.654) and third in scoring (7.74 runs per game) and home runs per game (1.77).

During their active 20-game win streak, the Sooners have scored a total of 160 runs while only surrendering 14.

Overall, the Sooners have run-ruled 15 opponents and shut out 14 in 2019, outscoring foes 250-36. They have won 23 games by at least five runs and have hit at least two home runs in 16 games.

FACING UTAH

The Sooners lead the all-time series with Utah 16-5, but the two programs have never met in Salt Lake City. OU has won nine straight games against the Utes.

The two teams last met at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in 2016, with OU claiming a 6-2 victory. The Sooners totaled 14 hits, including three apiece from then-freshmen Sydney Romero and Shay Knighten.

Overall, the Sooners are 101-95 all-time against current members of the Pac-12, including a 3-1 record this year.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma returns to Marita Hynes Field next weekend to take on Baylor in a three-game conference series. Tickets are sold out.