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USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners included in Softball America's early WCWS projection
Oklahoma Sooners included in Softball America's early WCWS projection The Oklahoma Sooners didn't reach the Women's College World Series championship series for just the second time in the last decade. They were just a few plays away from extending their semifinal series against Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders came away with the clutch hits to eliminate the four-time defending national champions. Though many have claimed an end to the Sooners dynasty, the reality is it's just a bump in the road. Oklahoma will be back in Oklahoma City next year. They bring back a talented roster and add the nation's No. 1 recruiting class in 2025. On3 and Softball America's Brady Vernon believes the Sooners will be one of the eight teams to make it to the Women's College World Series in 2026. In his "Early 8," Vernon projected Oklahoma, along with Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Texas, Nebraska, Texas Tech, and Tennessee, to make up the WCWS field in 2026. More: 2026 Women's College World Series way too early predictions Until the Sooners don't make it back to Oklahoma City, we will continue to predict them to be mainstays in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma projects to have nearly its entire lineup back next season, including Ella Parker, Kasidi Pickering, and Gabbie Garcia. The early transfer addition of former LSU All-American Sydney Berzon certainly helps. They bring back veteran Kierston Deal and talented rising sophomore Audrey Lowey. They will also have talented freshmen Sophia Bordi, Allyssa Parker and Berkley Zache available in the circle. - Vernon, Softball America for On3 The Sooners will still have a young corps of players leading the way in 2026. The addition of Sydney Berzon helps replace Sam Landry, but they need more of their pitching depth to step up next year so they aren't so reliant on the LSU transfer for every game in the postseason. If there's another area where they can improve, it's with runners on base and with runners in scoring position. Oklahoma had opportunities in their WCWS losses to Texas and Texas Tech but couldn't get the timely hits to rally against to of the stars of the tournament, Teagan Kavan and NiJaree Canady. They'll face the same challenges next year as Kavan, Canady, and Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens all return for 2026. But another year with Ella Parker, Kasidi Pickering, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, and Gabbie Garcia leading the lineup should continue to yield big numbers at the plate. Though the Sooners may not enter the 2026 season as the favorites to win the national title, you can bet they'll be one of the teams in the mix in Oklahoma City. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma vs Texas Tech score: Red Raiders walk-off Sooners in WCWS semifinals
Oklahoma vs Texas Tech score: Red Raiders walk-off Sooners in WCWS semifinals Show Caption Hide Caption Oregon softball players and their coach look back at the season Oregon Ducks softball players and their coach reflect on their remarkable season with tears and pride. Oklahoma softball nearly pulled off another late, magical moment against Texas Tech on Monday in the WCWS semifinals. The Red Raiders had other plans, though. Down to their final strike in the top of the seventh inning, Sooners 9-hole hitter Abigale Dayton launched a game-tying two-run home run to even the score at 2-2. The moment was similar to Ella Parker's walk-off home run against Tennessee in the opening round of the WCWS, showing the Sooners' fight down the stretch. But Texas Tech's fight was even stronger late in the game, as the Red Raiders fought off the moment with a walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh, following a single by Mihyia Davis, a double by Hailey Toney and a walk-off sacrifice fly from Lauren Allred to win 3-2. Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady, who has pitched in every game for the Red Raiders during the NCAA tournament, was phenomenal as always, allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts across seven innings of work. Canady's performance subsequently ended Oklahoma's streak of four consecutive national titles, one of the most dominant stretches in college sports history. Now, Texas Tech looks forward to facing Texas in the national championship series, where one program will come away with its first national title in softball. Here are the highlights from Texas Tech's semifinal win over Oklahoma in the WCWS: TEAM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F Oklahoma 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 Texas Tech 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 Texas Tech walks it off, as Lauren Allred's flyout is deep enough to score Davis from third base. The Red Raiders are heading to the national championship game, and end Oklahoma's four-year national title streak in the process. What a game to set up Texas-Texas Tech for all the marbles. Texas Tech's Mihyia Davis ropes a single, before Hailey Toney nearly homers, but hits a double off the left-field wall to put runners on second and third with one out. Red Raiders' winning run is 60 feet from scoring. Wow. Down to its final strike, Oklahoma 9-hole hitter Abigale Dayton launches a two-run home run to right field to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the seventh inning. What a moment. The Sooners just don't go down without a fight. That was only Dayton's third home run of the season. Sydney Barker hits a bloop single with one out, picking up her third hit of the game. Barker has three of the Sooners' four hits against Texas Tech, bringing the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh inning. Oklahoma hasn't been shutout in a game since losing to Alabama 1-0 in 2019. The Sooners are on the verge of losing that streak against one of the game's all-time great pitchers in NiJaree Canady here. Ella Parker hits a leadoff single, but Canady forces a flyout and strikes out two to get out of the sixth inning. Oklahoma is down to its final three outs and is close to missing out on a national title berth for the first time since 2018. Ella Parker ropes a leadoff single into center field, giving the Sooners a baserunner with no outs for 3-hole hitter Gabbie Garcia. Nice start to the inning for Oklahoma. Sam Landry gets NiJaree Canady to groundout into a 6-4-3 double play to end the fifth inning, which fired up the Sooners a bit. Can that give Oklahoma some momentum offensively? Landry has now thrown over 400 pitches at the WCWS. Canady puts up another zero, but Oklahoma had a couple nice swings in the top of the fifth inning. Sydney Barker, who has both of the Sooners' hits, hit a leadoff single before Abigaile Dayton flied out to the warning track in deep left field. Oklahoma down to its final six outs. NiJaree Canady's dominance continues, but it's first baseman Lauren Allred who fields a groundball and dives to first base to get an out to end end the inning. Texas Tech still leads 2-0, as Oklahoma's offense continues to struggle against Canady. Landry works around a walk but forces a pair of flyouts and a groundout to get out of the bottom of the third inning. Texas Tech still leads 2-0 as Oklahoma's bats head to the plate. NiJaree Canady continues her dominance, retiring the Sooners in order to start the third inning. Canady is up to four strikeouts so far, with her strikeout against Ella Parker marking her whopping 300th of the year. Texas Tech still leads 2-0. Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes is tuned into Texas Tech softball, as he mentioned the team in a post on X during the game. Mahomes played quarterback at Texas Tech and also was drafted to MLB out of high school. Bailey Lindemuth singles to center field, scoring Demi Elder from third base to give Texas Tech a 2-0 lead. A two-run lead for NiJaree Canady has Texas Tech feeling good heading into the third inning. Sam Landry, who played under Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco at Louisiana, has "Geri Ann," Glasco's daughter's name, stitched on her glove. Geri Ann Glasco died in 2019 after a car crash. She was a volunteer assistant at Louisiana under her dad at the time, and she starred at Georgia and Oregon during her collegiate career. It's clear the Glasco family means a lot to Landry. Sam Landry walks Alana Johnson, who later scores from first after Demi Elder triples down the left-field line. That ball was smoked by Elder. Oklahoma definitely doesn't want to get down 2-0 against NiJaree Canady here. Oklahoma's Isabela Emerling ropes a line drive, but it's straight at Texas Tech shortstop Hailey Toney to end the inning. The Sooners fall short on the scoring chance. Cydney Sanders draws a walk before freshman Sydney Barker bloops a single into left field to put runners on first and third for Oklahoma with two outs. Sooners with a chance at scoring a run on NiJaree Canady here. Sam Landry needs 28 pitches to get out of the first inning but works around a walk to put up a zero. Oklahoma-Texas Tech tied at 1-1 through one inning. Oklahoma pitcher Sam Landry, a first-team All-American in 2025, has plenty of connections to Texas Tech due to her time at Louisiana. Landry played for Red Raiders coach Gerry Glasco when Glasco was at Louisiana and has five former teammates on Texas Tech's roster. REQUIRED READING: Oklahoma softball's Sam Landry to face former coach Gerry Glasco, Texas Tech in WCWS Mihyia Davis, Chloe Riassetto, Lauren Allred, Victoria Valdez and Alexa Langeliers all joined Glasco from Louisiana after Glasco was hired prior to the 2025 season. The Sooners go down in order to start the first inning, as NiJaree Canady strikes out Kasidi Pickering and Gabbie Garcia. Canady's arsenal looks electric so far. NiJaree Canady fires a strike for Texas Tech, the home team, and we're underway. A pair of first-team All-Americans start off the semifinal, as Canady faces Oklahoma leadoff hitter Kasidi Pickering. NiJaree Canady, the former national player of the year, is getting the start for Texas Tech in the circle. Canady has started every game for the Red Raiders during their NCAA tournament run and leads the nation with a 0.86 ERA. CF Mihyia Davis SS Hailey Toney 1B Lauren Allred P NiJaree Canady 2B Alexa Langeliers RF Alana Johnson LF Demi Elder C Victoria Valdez 3B Bailey Lindemuth LF Kasidi Pickering DP Ella Parker SS Gabbie Garcia 3B Nelly McEnroe-Marinas 1B Cydney Sanders 2B Ailani Agbayani RF Sydney Barker C Isabela Emerling CF Abigale Dayton Right-hander Sam Landry is in the circle for the Sooners. Time: 7 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET Date: Monday, June 2 Monday, June 2 Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City) Oklahoma-Texas Tech softball is set for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch on Monday night. If Oklahoma wins and forces an if-necessary game, the two teams will immediately play again, which is currently scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas vs Oklahoma softball live updates: Women's College World Series score, highlights
Texas vs Oklahoma softball live updates: Women's College World Series score, highlights Show Caption Hide Caption Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady and Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens lead WCWS players to watch The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson highlights several Women's College World Series key players to watch. The Red River Rivalry is taking over Devon Park for a day on Saturday. No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 6 Texas will square off in the winner's bracket of the 2025 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with a ton on the line for both teams. The Sooners are seeking their fifth straight national championship, while the Longhorns look to avenge a championship series loss last season. Both teams opened the WCWS with a victory on Thursday. Texas ace Teagan Kavan shut out Florida in a 3-0 victory behind a two-home run effort from Joley Mitchell. Meanwhile, Ella Parker blasted a three-run walk-off home run against Karlyn Pickens and No. 7 Tennessee to steal the win at the last minute. Follow along here for live updates, scores and highlights from the WCWS matchup between rivals Oklahoma and Texas: Watch Texas vs Oklahoma softball, Women's College World Series on Fubo (free trial) Follow Texas and Oklahoma softball live below. Texas vs Oklahoma softball live score TEAMS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F OU 0 2 ― ― ― ― ― ― Texas 2 ― ― ― ― ― ― ― Aided by an error by second baseman Kaydee Bennett, the Sooners are able to even the score 2-2 in the top of the second inning. Teagan Kavan strikes out Joley Mitchell swinging with runners on first and second and two outs to prevent Oklahoma the opportunity of taking the lead. Abigale Dayton drives in Cydney Sanders on a single and Kasidi Pickering plates another on a fielder's choice. Sanders opened the inning with a walk, Alana Agbayani reached on an error and Isabela Emerling laid down a sac bunt to set up the scoring opportunities for Oklahoma. Kayden Henry steals home on a delayed steal when Oklahoma tries to nab Mia Scott stealing second. Scott advanced to third on an error and scores a play later on a sac fly by Reese Atwood. Teagan Kavan allows a one-out single to two-hole hitter Ella Parker and a two-out single by Gabbie Garcia, but works around it for a clean first inning. Parker's single was a screamer to center field, while Garcia's single put runners on the corners with two outs. Kavan gets Sydney Barker to pop up to second to end the threat. Kavan is up to eight scoreless innings in the WCWS so far this year. The Sooners bat first as the "designated road team" for the matchup against Texas in the winner's bracket. They'll try to get the scoring going early against Teagan Kavan. Here's a look at the Oklahoma starting lineup against Texas for today's game: Kasidi Pickering, LF Ella Parker, DP Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, 3B Gabbie Garcia, SS Sydney Barker, RF Cydney Sanders, 1B Ailana Agbayani, 2B Isabela Emerling, C Abigale Dayton, CF Starting pitcher: Sam Landry Here's a look at the Texas starting lineup against Oklahoma for today's game: Ashton Maloney, RF Kayden Henry, CF Mia Scott, 3B Reese Atwood, C Joley Mitchell, 1B Katie Stewart, LF Leighann Goode, SS Katie Cimusz, DP Kaydee Bennett, 2B Starting pitcher: Teagan Kavan Oklahoma is looking to join rarified air with a fifth straight national championship. If coach Patty Gasso and the Sooners can pull off the WCWS win, they'd join John Wooden and UCLA basketball as the only college program to win five straight championships. Read more about Oklahoma's chance at history from a story by USA Today's Kevin Skiver here. Oklahoma leads the all-time series against rival Texas 48-13 in softball. The Sooners have won six consecutive games over the Longhorns, including a three-game series sweep in the regular season in Norman, Oklahoma. They also swept the CWS championship series last season. The Longhorns' last win in the series was a 2-1 win on April 7, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Texas is 1-11 all-time against Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The lone win was a 3-1 win on May 13, 2005. What time does Texas vs Oklahoma softball start? Date: Saturday, May 31 Saturday, May 31 Time: 3 p.m. ET 3 p.m. ET Where: OGE Energy Field at Devon Park | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma What TV channel is Texas vs Oklahoma softball WCWS game today?
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How To Watch Texas Softball vs. Oklahoma today
How To Watch Texas Softball vs. Oklahoma today The softball version of the Red River Rivalry will play out today for big stakes at the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. No. 6 Texas and No. 2 Oklahoma square off in a winner's bracket WCWS matchup, a rematch of the 2024 championship series. A win moves the victor closer to a return to the end-of-tournament series to determine the national champion. The Longhorns used a dominant start from Teagan Kavan to earn a 3-0 victory over No. 3 Florida, while Ella Parker delivered a three-run walk-off home run off Karlyn Pickens and No. 7 Tennessee to steal a win. The Sooners are looking to earn a fifth straight championship. Here's what you need to know about Saturday's WCWS winner's bracket game between rivals Texas and Oklahoma: What channel is Texas vs Oklahoma softball on today? TV channel: ABC ABC Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ Texas and Oklahoma's winner's bracket game will air on ABC. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and ESPN+, the latter of which is ESPN's subscription service. Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Jessica Mendoza (analyst) and Michele Smith (analyst) will be on the call, with Holly Rowe serving as the sideline reporter. Texas vs Oklahoma softball start time Date: Saturday, May 31 Saturday, May 31 Time: 3 p.m. ET First pitch for Texas and Oklahoma's winner's bracket game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Winnipeg Free Press
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tennessee dominates Florida 11-3 in Women's College World Series elimination game
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Alannah Leach had two hits and knocked in four runs, and Tennessee rolled past Florida 11-3 in a Women's College World Series elimination game on Friday night. Tennessee (46-16) pounded out 12 hits in the matchup between two top Southeastern Conference teams. The seventh-seeded Volunteers advanced to play the loser of Saturday's Texas Tech vs. UCLA game in an elimination game on Sunday. Third-seeded Florida (48-17) was knocked out in two games. Tennessee, which lost its opener to Oklahoma on a walk-off home run by Ella Parker on Thursday, took out its frustration on Florida. The Volunteers scored seven runs on seven hits in the first inning. Alannah Leach's twin sister, Gabby Leach, got it started with a triple, and she scored on a single by Taylor Pannell. A double by Alannah Leach, knocked in three runs. The Gators did not play ace Keagan Rothrock. All four batters Florida starter Kara Hammock faced scored, and she was pulled without registering an out. Tennessee struck again in the second when back-to-back solo shots by Sophia Nugent and McKenna Gibson pushed the lead to 9-0 and chased reliever Ava Brown. The Volunteers' early lead allowed them to rest ace Karlyn Pickens. She threw one hitless inning with two strikeouts. Erin Nuwer got the win in two innings of relief. Florida's first hit of the game was a two-run homer by Reagan Walsh in the fourth. Korbe Otis followed with a solo shot to make it 10-3. ___ AP college sports:
