Oklahoma gets its first series win in Austin since 2022 thanks to Kendall Wells three-run homer in the top of the 5th inning, resulting in a 4-3 final on Saturday
AUSTIN, Texas - It was another clutch night for the Sooner softball squad on the road as they get the win Saturday night against Texas 4-3. This now puts Oklahoma at a 40-3 record overall and a 13-1 first place record in the SEC. Since Alabama is not too far behind Oklahoma in the SEC standings at 11-3, this was a crucial win for the Sooners.
This time, it wasn't Audrey Lowry that made the start at pitcher. Sophomore transfer Miali Guachino allowed 7 hits and threw six strikeouts in her start in Saturday night's rivalry game. She is now 12-0 this season. Texas freshman Hannah Wells started on the mound tonight but only pitched for two innings.
It looked like Texas was going to start off with a big lead. In the bottom of the first, Viviana Martinez for Texas had an RBI single after Kayden Henry walked to lead things off plus a Katie Stewart singled. In the next at bat, Leighanne Goode hit a line to Oklahoma's Agbayani where she made the catch and was able to throw to second baseman Gabbie Garcia for the double play.
The two Sooner batters that made the difference was sophomore shortstop Gabbie Garcia and freshman catcher Kendall Wells. After the clutch double play in the bottom of the first by Agbayani and Garcia, Garcia had a solo shot in the top of the second to tie things up.
Then, in the top of the fifth, Kendall Wells responded after Texas regained the lead back in the bottom of the fourth. After Texas made its second pitching change of the game, Wells hit a three-run home run to take a 4-2 lead and broke the all time NCAA freshman record for homeruns in a season with 31.
Texas did cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth, but it was still all Oklahoma on defense. Guachino made things look easy with a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth. After six full innings from Guachino, Audrey Lowry did the honors in the bottom of the seventh. Lowry had arguably one of the biggest moments of her career when she came back from a 3-0 count with Kayden Henry at bat and struck her out.
Then, a Katie Stewart single for Texas put the tying run on first base. The next at bat, Atwood grounded out to third which it resulted in a double play to win the series for Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has the opportunity to sweep the series against Texas in Game 3 on Sunday, April 12 at 1:00 p.m. CT with the broadcast on ESPN. With the Utah Utes upsetting the top ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, Oklahoma could possibly be the fourth different team to reach number one this season.