Michigan
OU softball rolls past Michigan to reach 16th straight NCAA Tournament Super Regional
NORMAN — Oklahoma softball is headed to its 16th consecutive Super Regional.
The No. 3 overall seeded Sooners defeated Michigan 8-1 in the NCAA Tournament Norman Regional final on Sunday afternoon in front of 3,947 at Love’s Field. OU will host Mississippi State or Saint Mary’s next weekend.
Speedy center fielder KaI Minor led the Sooners offensively, finishing 2 for 5 at the plate with a home run, a double and three runs scored. Isabela Emerling and Gabbie Garcia added two hits, while Ailana Agbayani recorded two hits and a solo homer.
In the circle, Audrey Lowry allowed just one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts and zero walks in 4 ⅔ innings. In relief, senior Kierston Deal struck out one in a full inning and Sydney Berzon tossed a hitless 1 ⅓ innings.
OU outhit Michigan 9-3 in the win.
The Sooners jumped out to an early three-run lead in the first inning after Minor ripped a double to left center, her third leadoff double in four games, while Ella Parker walked and Gabbie Garcia singled Minor in. Then, with the bases loaded, Isabela Emerling singled down the left field line to score Garcia and Kasidi Pickering, who was hit by a pitch.
OU added a run in the second and fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh to finish off the Wolverines. Minor crushed her 11th home run of the season 261 feet to deep left center field in the fourth.
The Sooners will begin Super Regional play on either Thursday or Friday. Mississippi State and Saint Mary’s meet in the Eugene Regional final at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Here’s a recap of the Sooners-Wolverines NCAA Tournament game:
Ailana Agbayani extended OU’s lead in the seventh with a solo homer to right field.
It was Agbayani’s second hit and second RBI of the day.
End 6: Oklahoma 7, Michigan 1 | Kierston Deal, Sydney Berzon handle Wolverines
Michigan was sat down in order in the sixth.
Sydney Berzon entered to record the third out of the inning after Kierston Deal ended her day with a strikeout in one full inning.
Kasidi Pickering popped up, Allyssa Parker fouled out and Abby Dayton grounded out in the sixth.
Audrey Lowry’s day is finished after she allowed just one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Kierston Deal recorded the final out of the fifth.
OU added two runs to its lead in the fifth.
Ailana Agbyani doubled to center field, scoring Abby Dayton. Then, Ella Parker walked with the bases loaded to score Agbayani.
Jenissa Conway, Sydney Hastings and Erin Hoehn all grounded out for Michigan in the fourth.
Kai. Minor.
The Sooners’ freshman center fielder crushed a solo home run to center field to give OU a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning.
Audrey Lowry forced two groundouts and struck out Ella Stephenson in the third.
Lowry has allowed one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts through three.
Abby Dayton flew out, Isabela Emerling struck out and Ailana Agbayani grounded out in the third.
Erin Hoen, Michigan’s current pitcher, smacked a solo shot 229 feet to left center field to put the Wolverines on the board. It was the first run OU has given up this weekend in the Norman Regional.
Ella Parker ended the inning with a diving catch.
Kai Minor reached on a fielder’s choice and scored her second run of the day following an Ella Parker single and Gabbie Garcia flyout. The RBI was Garcia’s second of the day.
Michigan starter Gabby Ellis’ day ended after one time through OU’s lineup. She allowed three earned runs and two walks in a full inning.
Erin Hoehn, in the Wolverines’ lineup as designated player, took over in the circle and allowed a hit and walk.
Michigan left fielder Ella Stephenson singled but the Wolverines stranded her at first.
Kai Minor is inevitable. The Sooners’ speedy center fielder ripped a double to left center, her third leadoff double in four games before Ella Parker walked and Gabbie Garcia singled Minor in. It was Garcia’s 72nd RBI this season.
Then, with the bases loaded, Isabela Emerling singled down the left field line to score Garcia and Kasidi Pickering, who was hit by a pitch.
OU leads 3-0 early.
Oklahoma is starting sophomore left-hander Audrey Lowry against Michigan in the NCAA Tournament Norman Regional final on Sunday. Lowry started the Sooners’ 11-0 run-rule victory over Binghamton on Friday, allowing a leadoff single before retiring the next six batters she faced and striking out three across two innings.
Here’s OU’s starting lineup against the Wolverines:
- CF: Kai Minor
- RF: Ella Parker
- SS: Gabbie Garcia
- DP: Kasidi Pickering
- C: Kendall Wells
- LF: Abby Dayton
- 1B: Isabela Emerling
- 2B: Ailana Agbayani
- 3B: Sydney Barker
What time is Oklahoma vs Michigan today? When is OU softball game today?
- Date: Sunday, May 17
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
The Oklahoma vs Michigan game starts at 2 p.m. CT Sunday from Love’s Field in Norman. If OU loses, Game 2 will start about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
What channel is Oklahoma vs Michigan today? Where to watch OU softball on TV, streaming
Oklahoma vs Michigan will be broadcast on SEC Network and streamed on ESPN+.
How to listen to OU softball on the radio
Chris Plank (play-by-play) will have the OU radio call on The Franchise 2 (KEBC 1560 AM) and the Varsity Radio App.
Norman Regional schedule
Double elimination from Friday-Sunday (May 15-17) at Love’s Field.
Friday’s games
Game 1: No. 3 Oklahoma 11, Binghamton 0 (5)
Game 2: Kansas 1, Michigan 0 (8)
Saturday’s games
Game 3: No. 3 Oklahoma 9, Kansas 0 (5)
Game 4: Michigan 6, Binghamton 0
Game 5: Michigan 12, Kansas 10
Sunday’s games
Game 6: No. 3 Oklahoma (50-8) vs. Michigan (36-21), 2 p.m.
Game 7 (if necessary): Rematch Game 6, 4:30 p.m.
OU softball highlights vs. Michigan
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Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.