The Oklahoma Sooners dominated their super regional opener against Florida State, securing an 11-3 walk-off run-rule victory in five innings on Thursday evening.
In the first inning, Kelly Maxwell navigated a bases-loaded jam for the Sooners. Then, Tiare Jennings, one of the game’s top hitters, hit her 22nd home run of the season and third in four NCAA tournament games, giving Oklahoma a 1-0 lead.
Maxwell found her rhythm with a perfect second inning, and Alynah Torres extended the lead with a two-strike double, bringing in Rylie Boone for a 2-0 advantage after two innings.
In the third inning, Maxwell struggled, hitting her second batter and allowing a wild pitch that put runners on second and third. Florida State capitalized with a two-run single from Devyn Flaherty to tie the game at 2-2.
The Sooners quickly responded in the bottom of the inning. Alyssa Brito hit the first of her two home runs, reclaiming the lead for Oklahoma. An FSU error then allowed OU to score two more runs, making it 5-2.
Oklahoma broke the game wide open in the fourth inning. Brito hit her second home run of the day, a two-run shot following Ella Parker’s single. Kasidi Pickering singled before Kinzie Hansen hit her 10th home run of the season, extending the lead to 9-2. Cydney Sanders added an RBI single, pushing the score to 10-2 and putting the run rule in effect for the fifth inning.
Florida State managed to score one run in the top of the fifth, but four walks in the bottom of the inning allowed Oklahoma to secure the 11-3 walk-off win.
Despite Maxwell’s struggles, allowing three runs on four hits and six walks, she fought hard to keep the Sooners in control. Alyssa Brito led the offense, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs, bringing her season totals to 18 homers and 59 RBIs.
Oklahoma and Florida State will face off again on Friday night at 7 p.m. CT. Broadcast details are yet to be determined. The Sooners are now one win away from reaching the Women’s College World Series for the eighth time and fourth consecutive season.
