Upcoming Event: Softball versus Battle Series - 4 on October 31, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Softball
vs Battle Series - 4
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Thursday, May 30
Oklahoma City, Okla.
1:30 PM
University of Oklahoma
55-6
9
vs
1
Duke
52-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
E
Duke
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
3
0
Oklahoma
0
0
4
3
0
2
9
11
0
Photo by: Morgan Givens/University of Oklahoma
Sooners Smash Duke in WCWS Opener
May 30, 2024 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The three-time defending champion Oklahoma Sooners shined bright at the Women's College World Series on Thursday afternoon, which comes as no surprise given they're on a quest to become the first-ever softball program to win four consecutive NCAA championships.
Also no surprise was OU senior centerfielder Jayda Coleman commanding the spotlight on college softball's biggest stage.
The No. 2-seeded Sooners (55-6) opened with a 9-1 run-rule victory in six innings over No. 10-seeded Duke (52-8) before a Session One record crowd of 12,445 at Devon Stadium. The outcome extended OU's record postseason winning streak to 19.
Coleman scored twice, stole a base, went 2 for 4 at the plate with a double and also finished about 5 feet short of hitting a home run.
And, as is her way, Coleman also flashed the glove in the field.
With the Sooners leading 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning, Coleman's diving catch in left-center for the final out saved two runs from scoring and pulling Duke to within 4-3.
"It's game-winning, game-changing one way or the other," OU head coach Patty Gasso said of the catch. "If she doesn't make the play, a rally is created. If she does make the play, momentum comes in our dugout.
Gasso paused, cracked a smile and said, "She waits for those. Sometimes I think she doesn't run as fast so she can (make another heroic catch). I'm kidding. She's incredible. She's an incredible athlete. I don't know how many runs she has saved. It would be interesting to see that analytic of how many runs she has saved the Sooners over the course of a season."
Coleman has shined more than a few times in her four WCWS appearances.
"What she's been doing, she loves these big moments," Gasso said. "She's her best in these situations, in this venue, in this World Series. It's her favorite thing to do. We're going to rally behind her and let her lead us."
Coleman wasn't a solo act against the Blue Devils.
Senior catcher Kinzie Hansen went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, which included a two-run shot to left field in the fourth inning that gave the Sooners the lead for good. Third baseman Alyssa Brito also went 2 for 3 and added two RBIs.
Second baseman Alynah Torres added a two-run homer of her own, as did first baseman Cydney Sanders.
The Sooners excelled offensively with 11 hits and three home runs, and defensively with flawless fielding snuffing out several potential hits.
Incredibly, this offensive success came the same week OU hitters struggled against the pitching machine in practice.
"We've been going on grind mode this past week," Hansen said. "I know it was pretty grueling at times. In the beginning of the week, we weren't hitting that machine very well. At the end of the week it paid off."
In the bottom of the third, while Ella Parker struck out swinging, Coleman simultaneously stole second with a head-first slide and two outs.
On the first pitch to Hansen, she promptly hit a line-drive homer to left-center to put OU on top 2-1.
Hansen's blast tied for third in WCWS history with six home runs, matching former Sooners great Lauren Chamberlain.
Alyssa Brito walked and Alynah Torres homered to left to make the score 4-1.
Both homers came off unanimous ACC Pitcher of the Year Jala Wright, who had come in relief earlier that inning after Coleman had singled to center to chase Duke starter Cassidy Curd.
Wright (19-3) would end up taking the loss, lasting just 1.0 inning, surrendering four hits and five runs (all earned).
The Blue Devils, who led the ACC with a 1.55 team ERA this season, wound up going through four pitchers.
Starter Kelly Maxwell, who is 10-5 in 18 NCAA Tournament appearances (17 starts), was removed with two outs in the fourth inning after issuing two walks and one hit-by-pitch to load the bases.
The three-time defending NCAA champion Sooners are making their eighth straight WCWS appearance and 17th overall. Another OU title would be the Sooners' sixth in the last eight seasons and the programs eight all-time (all coming in this millennium).
OU is on a quest to become the first softball program ever to claim four straight NCAA titles. The Sooners (2021-23) and UCLA (1988-90) are the only schools to have won three consecutive championships.
Coincidentally, OU and the Bruins will meet in the second round of the winners' bracket at 2 p.m. Saturday. An OU title would be the program's sixth in the last eight seasons and its eighth all-time.
OU will meet No. 6/6 UCLA on Saturday, June 1 at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC with Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith on the call. All games can be also be heard via 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma or nationwide on The Varsity Network with Chris Plank and alumna DJ Sanchez on the call.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma Softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter/X and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.
Also no surprise was OU senior centerfielder Jayda Coleman commanding the spotlight on college softball's biggest stage.
The No. 2-seeded Sooners (55-6) opened with a 9-1 run-rule victory in six innings over No. 10-seeded Duke (52-8) before a Session One record crowd of 12,445 at Devon Stadium. The outcome extended OU's record postseason winning streak to 19.
Coleman scored twice, stole a base, went 2 for 4 at the plate with a double and also finished about 5 feet short of hitting a home run.
And, as is her way, Coleman also flashed the glove in the field.
With the Sooners leading 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning, Coleman's diving catch in left-center for the final out saved two runs from scoring and pulling Duke to within 4-3.
"It's game-winning, game-changing one way or the other," OU head coach Patty Gasso said of the catch. "If she doesn't make the play, a rally is created. If she does make the play, momentum comes in our dugout.
Gasso paused, cracked a smile and said, "She waits for those. Sometimes I think she doesn't run as fast so she can (make another heroic catch). I'm kidding. She's incredible. She's an incredible athlete. I don't know how many runs she has saved. It would be interesting to see that analytic of how many runs she has saved the Sooners over the course of a season."
Coleman has shined more than a few times in her four WCWS appearances.
"What she's been doing, she loves these big moments," Gasso said. "She's her best in these situations, in this venue, in this World Series. It's her favorite thing to do. We're going to rally behind her and let her lead us."
Coleman wasn't a solo act against the Blue Devils.
Senior catcher Kinzie Hansen went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, which included a two-run shot to left field in the fourth inning that gave the Sooners the lead for good. Third baseman Alyssa Brito also went 2 for 3 and added two RBIs.
Second baseman Alynah Torres added a two-run homer of her own, as did first baseman Cydney Sanders.
The Sooners excelled offensively with 11 hits and three home runs, and defensively with flawless fielding snuffing out several potential hits.
Incredibly, this offensive success came the same week OU hitters struggled against the pitching machine in practice.
"We've been going on grind mode this past week," Hansen said. "I know it was pretty grueling at times. In the beginning of the week, we weren't hitting that machine very well. At the end of the week it paid off."
In the bottom of the third, while Ella Parker struck out swinging, Coleman simultaneously stole second with a head-first slide and two outs.
On the first pitch to Hansen, she promptly hit a line-drive homer to left-center to put OU on top 2-1.
Hansen's blast tied for third in WCWS history with six home runs, matching former Sooners great Lauren Chamberlain.
Alyssa Brito walked and Alynah Torres homered to left to make the score 4-1.
Both homers came off unanimous ACC Pitcher of the Year Jala Wright, who had come in relief earlier that inning after Coleman had singled to center to chase Duke starter Cassidy Curd.
Wright (19-3) would end up taking the loss, lasting just 1.0 inning, surrendering four hits and five runs (all earned).
The Blue Devils, who led the ACC with a 1.55 team ERA this season, wound up going through four pitchers.
Starter Kelly Maxwell, who is 10-5 in 18 NCAA Tournament appearances (17 starts), was removed with two outs in the fourth inning after issuing two walks and one hit-by-pitch to load the bases.
The three-time defending NCAA champion Sooners are making their eighth straight WCWS appearance and 17th overall. Another OU title would be the Sooners' sixth in the last eight seasons and the programs eight all-time (all coming in this millennium).
OU is on a quest to become the first softball program ever to claim four straight NCAA titles. The Sooners (2021-23) and UCLA (1988-90) are the only schools to have won three consecutive championships.
Coincidentally, OU and the Bruins will meet in the second round of the winners' bracket at 2 p.m. Saturday. An OU title would be the program's sixth in the last eight seasons and its eighth all-time.
Up Next
OU will meet No. 6/6 UCLA on Saturday, June 1 at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC with Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith on the call. All games can be also be heard via 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma or nationwide on The Varsity Network with Chris Plank and alumna DJ Sanchez on the call.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma Softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter/X and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Deal, Kierston (13-1)
L: Jala Wright (19-3)
Batting:
HR: Francesca Frelick 1
RBI: Francesca Frelick 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Francesca Frelick 1
HBP: Kelly Torres 1
Batting:
2B: Coleman, Jayda 1
HR: Hansen, Kinzie 1 ; Torres, Alynah 1 ; Sanders, Cydney 1
RBI: Hansen, Kinzie 3 ; Brito, Alyssa 2 ; Torres, Alynah 2 ; Sanders, Cydney 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Coleman, Jayda 2 ; Jennings, Tiare 1 ; Bland, Maya 1 ; Hansen, Kinzie 1 ; Brito, Alyssa 1 ; Torres, Alynah 1 ; Boone, Rylie 1 ; Sanders, Cydney 1
SB: Coleman, Jayda 1 ; Pickering, Kasidi 1
HBP: Jennings, Tiare 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
UTL
/ SoftballSB Highlights: OU 22, East Texas A&M 0
Tuesday, October 07
Gasso, Landry, Parker, Barker, Dayton, Sanders Postgame vs Texas Tech
Monday, June 02
SB WCWS Highlights: OU 4, Oregon 1
Sunday, June 01
Gasso, Sanders, Emerling, Landry Postgame vs Oregon
Sunday, June 01
