That’s a little more like it for OU softball. Maybe not super smooth at all times at the plate, but no problems in the circle.
Because even as OU continues to get the offense under control and back to being dominant, Kelly Maxwell has it locked down as the ace of the staff.
Maxwell was her usual brilliant self to help the Sooners to the 8-0 five-inning, run-rule victory against visiting BYU on Thursday night at Love’s Field.
Each time Maxwell pitches, you’re not sure if you’re about to see something special. Maxwell was perfect through the first 4.1 innings and wasn’t too bad after that.
She got some help from senior Jayda Coleman. Coleman blasted a three-run opposite field home run in the bottom of the second to allow OU fans to breathe a bit.
Freshman Kasidi Pickering added a solo shot in the third.
It was OU’s first foray back into the Big 12 since last weekend at Texas. That series loss was the first one for OU since 2011, and the 40-game conference winning streak was snapped. Time to begin a new one.
After scoring one run in each of the final two games in Austin, you could see the Sooners still rounding themselves back into form.
The fifth was the best sign. OK, they might be back again. Base hit after base hit until the big bomb. A three-run shot by Cydney Sanders sent everybody home. It was 4-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, and OU wrapped it up with the four-spot.
Maxwell pitched all five innings, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out five. She is now 12-1 this season.
The weekend
The three-game set continues with BYU. No. 1 OU (37-3 overall, 14-2 Big 12) will host the Cougars on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Games can be watched on ESPN+.
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