No. 1 Sooners Clinch Bedlam with Dramatic Comeback

Saturday, May 6

Stillwater, Okla.

4 PM CT

University of Oklahoma

48-1, 17-0

Oklahoma State

41-12, 10-7

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

No. 1 Sooners Clinch Bedlam with Dramatic Comeback

May 06, 2023 | Softball

Box Score Highlights Box: OU 4, OSU 2

STILLWATER, Okla. — Down to its final three outs, No. 1 Oklahoma had other plans than seeing its 39-game win streak come to an end.

After a pitcher's duel through six innings with the only difference being a pair of RBI singles from OSU's Taylor Tuck in the second and sixth, OU (48-1, 17-0) responded in dramatic fashion with four runs on five hits in the seventh to clinch the Bedlam Series over No. 7/6 Oklahoma State (41-12, 10-7) and beat the Cowgirls, 4-2.

The win marked OU's 40th straight, moving the team into a tie for third in NCAA Division I history. The win also secured OU's 54th consecutive Big 12 series and 11th straight series victory over the Cowgirls.

For the second game in a row, Oklahoma loaded the bases in the first inning, this time on OSU starter Kyra Aycock. Aycock was able to get out of the jam unscathed with a double play and groundout.

OU starter Nicole May went 5.2 innings and was able to hold the Cowgirl offense at bay aside from the two RBI singles from Tuck. The first coming in the second after a one-out triple from freshman Tallen Edwards put a runner in scoring position.

The duel in the circle ensued with three consecutive scoreless innings between May and Aycock before OSU was able to double their lead in the bottom half of the sixth. After a single from OSU's Morgyn Wynne and stolen base, another Tuck single was able to push a run across to make it 2-0, OSU. May gave way to freshman Kierston Deal who entered with two outs and struck out the final batter of the frame looking.

To the top of the seventh, OU freshman Jocelyn Erickson ripped her second hit of the game with a laser of a double down the right line. The next at-bat, senior Alynah Torres laced a single to to left center to plate OU's first run of the game and pull the Sooners within one. Following the Torres RBI, OSU turned to ace pitcher Kelly Maxwell. After a hit by pitch and wild pitch to move two runners into scoring position, All-American and 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top-10 Finalist Tiare Jennings stepped to the plate.

On a full count pitch, Jennings doubled off the wall in left center to score a pair and give OU its first lead of the game. The next batter, Cydney Sanders, kept it going with an RBI single down the left line to bring the scoring to a close and the OU lead to 4-2.

The freshman Deal finished things in the bottom of the seventh by retiring the side in order and earn the win in the circle.

May went 5.2 innings and surrendered a pair of runs on eight hits to go with four strikeouts and one walk. May, Deal and OU's defense left seven Cowgirls on base in the contest.

Deal (W, 3-0) closed the final 1.1 innings and gave up no hits, runs or walks to accompany a pair of strikeouts.

At the plate, Jennings went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs batted in to pace OU, while Erickson finished 2-for-3 with a double. Six Sooners registered a hit with Jennings, Torres and Sanders all bringing in runs.

The teams meet for the series finale Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. The game can be seen via ESPN+ and heard on 107.7 The Franchise in Oklahoma and nationwide on The Varsity Network app.

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