OU softball begins Big 12 Tournament in style, 10-1

OKLAHOMA CITY – That’s a little more like it for OU softball fans. And probably a little more like it for head coach Patty Gasso.

No issues, no drama, statement made. Check the box off, and let’s go to the semifinals. The Sooners struck early and never let up in a 10-1 five-inning, run-rule victory against Kansas on Thursday afternoon in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals at OGE Field at Devon Park.

OU, the No. 2 seed, will play No. 6 BYU at 5 p.m. Friday. The Cougars upset No. 3-seeded Oklahoma State in the first game Thursday in a dominant 7-2 shocker.

Because of the shocking Cowgirls loss, there was some nervous energy in OKC. And even more after Kelly Maxwell allowed three straight hits to begin the game and a 1-0 lead for KU.

From there, though? Pure OU domination. Maxwell worked out of the jam. The Sooners put up a five-spot in the bottom of the first. And there ya go, OU says welcome to tournament play.

Maxwell didn’t allow another hit the rest of the way. She pitched the first three innings, walking two and striking out two.

It was Paytn Monticelli who came in after that and pitched two scoreless innings.

Offensively, there wasn’t one star. It was the pass the bat mentality Gasso and the players preach so much.

Alyssa Brito and Ella Parker each had two hits and each had a two-run double. OU scored just about as many runs with its aggressive baserunning mindset as it did with huge hits.

OU had 10 hits from seven players. Pass the bat indeed.

Up next

Surprise, surprise. It’s not Round 4 of Bedlam. Instead, it’s the fourth matchup of BYU and OU (47-6 overall). The Sooners won two of three against the Cougars at Love’s Field in last month. The Big 12 championship is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The post OU softball begins Big 12 Tournament in style, 10-1 appeared first on On3.