Isabella Smith keeps OU softball afloat, Sooners get the victory

OU softball has to find a way to win these types of games. And it did. It cannot be and will not be Sam Landry in the circle every single game.

Head coach Patty Gasso turned to true freshman Audrey Lowry to start the first game of a Sunday doubleheader.

But the freshman was rocked early, leading to the Sooners to turn to Isabella Smith. This was her afternoon. Smith did all she could to steady the ship, and then the OU offense did the rest.

Smith came up huge out of the bullpen as OU was able to work a 6-5 victory against visiting Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon at Love’s Field.

The Bulldogs raced out to a 4-0 lead just one out into the game before OU turned to Smith, who was up to the task.

Smith pitched the next 4.2 innings, not allowing a run. She allowed three hits and walked three but kept battling, kept fighting.

OU cut into the lead quickly, with a three-run bottom of the first. Kasidi Pickering hit her 13th home run of the season to begin the game.

It was a big day for senior Cydney Sanders. She drove in two runs, beginning with a double and then tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth with a single.

OU took the lead with a wild pitch. And then it became a batter-by-batter situation for the Sooners.

Smith began the top of the sixth. After a walk, Kierston Deal came in. One out later, it was time for Landry. And as Landry has done repeatedly all season, she came up big.

The Sooners get back on track, winning their first SEC series in a month. OU had lost its last two conference series.

Game 2 of the doubleheader is coming up from Love’s Field.

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