Sad News: OU key player has been suspended from perticipating in all sport activities for playing a bet against…..

Sad News: OU key player has been suspended from perticipating in all sport activities for playing a bet against…..

NORMAN — Jayda Coleman watched ball four pass by and turned towards the OU softball dugout, shouting and pumping her fists.

The Sooners’ senior center fielder had just earned another leadoff walk in Saturday’s game against Oregon in the Norman Regional, a game the Sooners eventually won 6-3.

With Coleman leading off the batting order, where she has spent much of her time in Norman, the Sooners’ offense has been among the nation’s best.

Coleman is a significant reason why second-seeded OU has made it to the super regionals for the 14th straight year.

The Sooners (52-6) will face Florida State at 6 p.m. Thursday at Love’s Field in the first game of a best-of-three series.

If the Sooners are to advance to their eighth consecutive Women’s College World Series, Coleman will likely play a central role.

“She’s definitely a spark plug for us,” said Sooners coach Patty Gasso of Coleman.

As OU’s offense has surged recently, scoring over 54 runs in their last seven games, Coleman has been on fire too.

In all three games of last weekend’s Norman Regional, Coleman reached base to start the Sooners’ half of the first inning, twice on walks.

In two of those games, both wins against Oregon, she eventually scored.

During the Sooners’ regional sweep, Coleman went 6 for 9 with four runs, two RBIs, and three walks.

“I like Jayda in that leadoff spot,” Gasso said. “She’s really starting to get hot. She can lay down the bunt and beat it out. She is a good hitter and knows how to perform in big moments.”