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Oklahoma is the true juggernaut of college softball, and the Sooners are already within a win of reaching another Women’s College World Series after a shutout win over Alabama.
As the No. 2 overall seed this year, the Sooners are hosting the best of 3 Norman Super Regional against the Crimson Tide, the No. 15 overall seed in the tournament. It set up an epic SEC vs. SEC matchup, and Game 1 was a crucial performance by Oklahoma in both areas of the game.
Offensively, the Sooners jumped out to a 3rd-inning lead with a 2-run home run from Kasidi Pickering. It was a rare mistake made by Alabama pitcher Jocelyn Briski, and Abigale Dayton would double and score on an RBI hit to make it 3-0 in the 5th inning.
While Briski was otherwise nails for the Tide, it was more than enough offense for the Sooners in this game. That’s because Oklahoma starter Sam Landry was even better in the circle.
Landry would go the distance with 7 innings of shutout ball, surrendering just 4 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts against Alabama. The Crimson Tide were able to keep the deficit at 3-0 entering the top of the 7th, but Landry never let up, setting Alabama down in order to preserve the win.
Landry’s shutout is the first for an Oklahoma pitcher in the Super Regionals since 2018. The victory also puts the Sooners on the doorstep of Oklahoma City.
The win is a remarkable 17th straight for the Sooners in a Super Regionals competition. Oklahoma has made 8 straight trips to the WCWS, including winning each of the last 4 national titles, and one more win will send the Sooners past Alabama to yet another WCWS.
Game 2 is set for Saturday at 3 pm ET with Alabama needing a win to force a decisive Game 3 on Sunday.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
