2023 Fall Softball Central

Wednesday, October 4

6 PM

University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Battle Series

October 11, 2023 | Softball

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By: OU Athletics Communications

The reigning three-time national champion Oklahoma softball team announced its eight-game 2023 fall schedule Thursday. The slate features two competitions against outside opponents and the continuation of the program's popular Oklahoma Battle Series, with six intrasquad scrimmages featuring an exciting format.

All eight exhibitions will be played at Marita Hynes Field in Norman and open to the public, and each is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. CT.

Head coach Patty Gasso's Sooners start the Oklahoma Battle Series on Wednesday, Oct. 11, with other Battle Series dates scheduled for Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 9. In addition to the team vs. team competitions, similar to last fall, a cumulative points system will be used to determine MVPs and an individual champion will be named at the conclusion of the series.

The Sooners will welcome North Central Texas College to Norman on Monday, Oct. 16, and Seminole State College on Monday, Oct. 23. OU is scheduled to play a five-inning doubleheader against both squads.

All six Oklahoma Battle Series games will be streamed live via SoonerVision on ESPN+. No streaming will be available for the other two competitions.

Tickets will be available for purchase online at www.SoonerSports.com/tickets beginning Friday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. CT and at the gate on game days. All tickets will be general admission and cost $15.

OU Athletics' clear-bag policy will be in effect and walk-through metal detectors will be utilized.

During each of OU's seven fall games, the Sooners will hold a food drive in conjunction with the OU Food Pantry. Fans who participate in the food drive will receive a Whataburger coupon for their donation at the front gate. Fans are encouraged to bring canned or nonperishable items to donate (toothpaste/toothbrushes, soap, feminine care products, peanut butter, jelly, cereals [cups or boxes], soups, boxed pastas, mac and cheese, canned tuna/chicken, rice and snack items).

The Sooners return 13 players for the 2024 season, including four 2023 All-Americans (utility player Alyssa Brito, outfielder Jayda Coleman, catcher Kinzie Hansen and infielder Tiare Jennings), and welcome eight newcomers.

Oklahoma won its third straight national championship last season after posting a 61-1 record, which was good for the best winning percentage (.984) in NCAA Division I history. OU also set the NCAA Division I record for longest winning streak, prevailing in each of its final 53 games of the season.

Twenty-eight of the team's 61 wins came via run-rule, as the Sooners outscored opponents 501-59. OU registered a nation-leading and school-record 35 shutouts and threw four no-hitters.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.

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Battle Series Game One Recap | Team Two 4, Team Three 2, Team One 1

Hansen, Softball, Battle Series 23

Senior Jayda Coleman came through in the clutch in Game 1 of the 2023 Oklahoma Battle Series, belting a two-out, two-run double in the fourth and final inning to lead Team 2 to victory at Marita Hynes Field in Norman. Coleman's liner against pitcher Kierston Deal plated freshman Kasidi Pickering and sophomore Avery Hodge to unknot a 2-2 tie with Team 3. Team 2 finished with four runs, Team 3 with two runs and Team 1 with one run.

It didn't take long for a pair of freshmen to make their mark offensively, as utility players Kasidi Pickering and Maya Bland each hit two-run home runs in the second inning for their squads. Pickering's towering shot for Team 2 came with one out off Deal and followed a triple by catcher Kinzie Hansen. Pickering's blast accounted for the first runs of the game. Bland's homer for Team 3 was a liner to left center field off Nicole May that brought in fellow freshman Ella Parker, who started the two-out rally with a single.

Team 1 scored its only run also via a homer when Alyssa Brito cleared the left center field wall with one out against newcomer Kelly Maxwell.

Game 1 MVPs were Coleman, who finished with a game-high three hits, sophomore pitcher Paytn Monticelli and Pickering.

Oklahoma 37, North Central Texas 0

Deal, Kierston

Oklahoma's bats and pitching arms were in midseason form in OU's 37-0 win over North Central Texas College on Monday night at Marita Hynes Field. The Sooners pounded out 32 hits in their eight at-bats, including four home runs, and didn't allow any hits in NCTC's 10 at-bats.

OU's homers came from senior Jayda Coleman (a leadoff blast in the first inning), freshman Kasidi Pickering in the sixth inning and freshman Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and senior Tiare Jennings in the eighth inning.

Sophomore Kierston Deal started in the circle for the Sooners, striking out seven in 3.0 innings of work. She was followed by redshirt freshman SJ Geurin (three strikeouts in 1.2 innings), redshirt super senior Kelly Maxwell (one strikeout in 1.0 inning), sophomore Paytn Monticelli (seven strikeouts in 3.0 innings) and senior Nicole May (four strikeouts in 1.1 innings).

OU returns to action with Game 2 of the Oklahoma Battle Series on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed on SoonerVision on ESPN+.

Battle Series Game Two Recap | Team One 7, Team Three 5, Team Two 1

Jennings, SB, lead
Catcher Kinzie Hansen belted a two-run opposite-field homer in the third inning and infielder Tiare Jennings crushed a two-run shot of her own off the left field scoreboard in the fifth to propel Team 1 to victory in Game 2 of the Oklahoma Battle Series at Marita Hynes Field. Wearing white uniforms, Team 1 scored seven runs and was followed by Team 3 (pink) with five runs and Team 2 (gray) with one run.

Hansen went 4-for-5 at the plate and drew two walks while Jennings went 3-for-6 with a walk.

Team 3's runs came on an RBI-double by catcher Riley Ludlam in the second inning, an RBI-single by Quincee Lilio in the third frame and two-out homers in the fifth (and final) inning by Lilio and Kasidi Pickering. Team 2 scored its run in the first inning on an Alynah Torres RBI-double. Infielder Alyssa Brito accounted for four of Team 3's eight hits.

Game 2 MVPs were Kinzie Hansen, Tiare Jennings and Alyssa Brito.

The Sooners return to the field on Monday, Oct. 23 when they host Seminole State College at 6 p.m. in Norman.

Oklahoma 17, Seminole State College 0

Monticelli, Paytn Oklahoma played its second and final fall game against outside competition Monday night, a 10-inning 17-0 win over Seminole State College at Marita Hynes Field.

OU scored runs in eight of their nine at-bats and pounded out 20 hits to the Trojans' three. The Sooners hit three home runs on the night: a three-run shot by senior Jayda Coleman, a solo blast by freshman Kasidi Pickering and a two-run dinger by senior Alyssa Brito.

Seven Sooners had multi-hit games, including senior Kinzie Hansen, who was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, and redshirt sophomore Hannah Coor, who was 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Sophomore Avery Hodge was 1-for-3 and led the team with three runs scored.

OU threw three pitchers in the game and each gave up just one hit. Paytn Monticelli got the start and struck out six batters while surrendering one walk in 4.0 innings of work. She was replaced by fellow sophomore Kierston Deal, who pitched 2.0 innings (no strikeouts or walks). Redshirt super senior Kelly Maxwell closed the game by throwing 4.0 innings and striking out seven against one base on balls.

The Sooners are scheduled to play their third Oklahoma Battle Series on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. at Marita Hynes Field. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at www.SoonerSports.com/tickets. The game will also stream live on SoonerVision on ESPN+.

Battle Series Game Three Recap | Team Two 9, Team Three 6, Team One 2

sb bs LEAD Team 2 scored at least two runs in four of five innings to win Game 3 of the Oklahoma Battle Series on Thursday night in Norman. The three-batter offensive team of Alyssa Brito, Tiare Jennings and Riley Ludlam scored nine runs to down Team 1 (two runs) and Team 3 (six runs).

Brito went 5-for-10 on the night with two solo home runs and three RBIs while Jennings went 3-for-9 with a three-run homer and RBI-single and Ludlam 4-for-7 with a solo homer, three singles and another RBI.

Team 1 scored both its runs in the second frame on an Alynah Torres RBI-double and a Jayda Coleman run-scoring single.

Hannah Coor belted two homers for Team 3 — a two-run shot in the third and a solo blast in the fourth — while Kinzie Hansen and Rylie Boone registered three hits each. Quincee Lilio helped keep things interesting with a two-run double in the last inning.

OU threw all five available pitchers. Nicole May pitched 4.0 innings, Kierston Deal, Kelly Maxwell and Paytn Monticelli 3.0 innings each and SJ Geurin 2.0 innings.

Game MVPs were Brito, Ludlam and Coor.

OU is scheduled to play Game 4 of the Oklahoma Battle Series on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at Marita Hynes Field. The game will be streamed on SoonerVision on ESPN+.

Battle Series Game Four Recap | Team Two 12, Team One 7, Team Three 2

Hannah Coor 11_1 Battle Series Early crooked numbers and an incredible five-hit, seven-RBI performance from Hannah Coor helped Team 2 take Game 4 of the Battle Series on Wednesday evening in Norman. The four-batter lineup of Coor, Kinzie Hansen, Rylie Boone and Alynah Torres produced 12 runs on 13 hits to outscore Team 1 (7) and Team 3 (2).

Team 2 jumped on the board early with its six-run first sparked by three knocks from Coor, including a three-run blast and a two-run single. The redshirt sophomore went 5-for-8 at the plate with four runs scored, a double, two home runs and seven RBIs – five of which came in the explosive first inning. Hansen drew a pair of walks while going 4-for-6 to reach base six times and Brito added a three-hit evening.

Kasidi Pickering starred for Team 1 by launching a pair of long balls, driving in three and reaching base four times. Riley Ludlam reached six times with four walks and a 2-for-6 effort at the dish. Alyssa Brito provided Team 3's offense with a two-run shot in the first inning.

Kelly Maxwell shined in the circle, firing 4.0 hitless frames while striking out six and allowing two unearned runs. Nicole May recorded 3.0 innings of one-run work, scattering four hits while punching out two and walking none.

Coor, Maxwell and Pickering were named Game MVPs for their strong efforts.

OU is scheduled to play its fifth and final game of the Oklahoma Battle Series on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. at Marita Hynes Field. The game will be streamed on SoonerVision on ESPN+.

Battle Series Game Five Recap | Team Three 4, Team One 3, Team Two 0

Ella Parker Battle Series A dramatic final-inning, go-ahead home run off the bat of Ella Parker gave Team 3 the win in the fifth and final game of the Oklahoma Battle Series on Thursday evening in Norman. The four-batter lineup of Parker, Alyssa Brito, Hannah Coor and Quincee Lilio produced four runs on nine hits to outscore Team 1 (3) and Team 2 (0).

Parker enjoyed a terrific 4-for-6 performance at the plate, scoring twice and driving in two to earn primary MVP honors for the night while Coor went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and two runs scored.

Team 1 opened the scoring with three runs in the first as Kasidi Pickering, Kinzie Hansen and Alynah Torres reached on consecutive singles with the latter dropping down a beautiful squeeze bunt. A throwing error plated the second run, then Hansen drove in Avery Hodge with a single up the middle.

Kelly Maxwell spun 3.0 scoreless innings of one-hit, one-walk ball while striking out four. Paytn Monticelli and Kierston Deal each allowed just one run over 3.0 frames and Nicole May struck out three across her team-leading 3.1 innings of work. May re-entered into the game late in the fifth inning with two outs and the bases loaded for Team 2 and proceeded to record a pivotal strikeout, escaping the inning unscathed.

Team 3 trimmed its deficit to one with two runs in the third courtesy of a Coor RBI double and a run-scoring single off the bat of Brito. It tacked on another in the fourth as Coor scored on a Parker single to draw even with Team 1 at three apiece, then Parker put Team 3 up for good with her opposite-field solo homer in the fifth.

Maxwell and Coor were named secondary and tertiary game MVPs, respectively, for their performances in Thursday's finale.

Thursday marked the final game of the 2024 Oklahoma Battle Series at Marita Hynes Field.

2023 Fall Schedule

Date	Opponent/Result	Time (CT)	Coverage
Oct. 11	Oklahoma Battle Series (Team Two 4, Team Three 2, Team One 1)	6 p.m.	Highlights
Oct. 16	North Central Texas College (Oklahoma 37, North Texas Central 0)	6 p.m.
Oct. 18	Oklahoma Battle Series (Team One 7, Team Three 5, Team Two 1)	6 p.m.
Oct. 23	Seminole State (Oklahoma 17, Seminole State 0)	6 p.m.
Oct. 26	Oklahoma Battle Series (Team Two 9, Team Three 6, Team One 2)	6 p.m.
Nov. 1	Oklahoma Battle Series (Team Two 12, Team One 7, Team Three 2)	6 p.m.
Nov. 9	Oklahoma Battle Series (Team Three 4, Team One 3, Team Two 0)	6 p.m.