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OUInsider – Early offense propels Sooners past Louisiana, Liberty

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OUInsider  –  Early offense propels Sooners past Louisiana, Liberty


NORMAN — Patty Gasso and the players acknowledged that Friday’s opening day at Love’s Field was an emotional and sometimes challenging one.

But on Saturday — their second day at their new stadium — the Sooners were more settled in. They opened their doubleheader with an 8-0 win over Louisiana before closing it with a 15-3 win over Liberty.

Two games, two run-rule victories.

While they’re still getting adjusted to their new surroundings, Saturday was clearly a step forward.

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“I was kind of mesmerized by just how many people were watching and just being in the best stadium in the country is hard to wrap my brain around while I was playing,” Jayda Coleman said on Saturday. “But today was definitely more settled in.”

Gasso saw a difference in her team, too.

“I think we got comfortable in our new house a little more,” Gasso said. “Definitely felt a difference. They were confident. Just still feeling out a little bit. Like the wind flow is different. I mean there’s some things we’re trying to learn about the stadium. But definitely the jitters were out and they played the way they’re capable of.”

Here’s some takeaways and notes from the second round of games at Love’s Field:

Oklahoma 8, Louisiana 0 (five innings)

— True sophomore Kierston Deal made her first circle appearance at Love’s Field and delivered a solid performance, allowing three hits and no runs with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings. Paytn Monticelli allowed two hits and no runs in relief.

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Deal has played significantly better since the early struggles during opening weekend. In her last 16 innings, Deal has allowed just seven hits and no runs with 18 strikeouts.

“There was a lot of confidence there,” Gasso said. “It’s been really fun to watch her — well it wasn’t fun to watch her first appearance. But to see her response to it has been really incredible. It’s a good testimony to just believing in yourself. She got that back and she didn’t let it lay it all out on that first weekend. So I’ve been really happy with her performance. We need that right now. Our pitching staff got a little roughed up this weekend and we’ve got some work to do.”

— Alyssa Brito was sensational: three hits (all doubles), three runs and two RBIs.

— Gasso did a lot of tinkering with the lineup. The highlights? Riley Ludlam started at first base instead of Cydney Sanders, Rylie Boone batted first while usual leadoff hitter Jayda Coleman was in the nine spot.

“We’re really into analytics,” Gasso said. “And it does make a difference. And they know that. It’s not, ‘Oh, Jayda all of a sudden you’re in the nine.’ It’s strategic. We set them up for success by what pitcher is on the mound and who — maybe I like balls that are up and it’s a down-ball pitcher. Maybe I should be lower in the lineup or maybe I make a switch. I mean it’s all about that. Or sometimes I’m just trying to get some of these guys off their feet a little bit. Boone’s been hot. Boone’s been really hot.

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“The nine-one is really a nice combo whether it’s these two or even Avery in the nine with Jayda. Sometimes Boone is one, Jayda two or Boone two, Jayda one. I mean we can do a lot of things but it does have a lot to do with lefty-righty matches versus who we think we’re gonna face. So I’m really writing out three different lineups.”

— The Sooners’ lone home run came from Ludlam.

Oklahoma 15, Liberty 3 (five innings)

— Sanders returned to her usual place at first base and also got things started with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second inning. She finished the game with two hits, a run, a walk and a team-high four RBIs.

Sanders has now been walked nine times this season, the most on the team.

“She’s feeling a little bit of press from other people that are working out over at first and again, you can either say, ‘No, I have to, I have to, I’ve got to,’ or you say, ‘This is my spot. Give me the bat, let me show you,’” Gasso said. “That’s kind of what I felt from her today. She’s going to fight for that. We know how capable she is. She has shown it since her freshman year at Arizona State. She’s fighting and that’s good.”

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— Friday’s game Miami (OH) was a bit of a struggle for Nicole May, who surrendered back-to-back home runs in the top of the first. There were no such issues against Liberty, as May surrendered one hit and no runs in three innings.

Karlie Keeney pitched one inning in relief against her former team. Kelly Maxwell closed it out in the fifth inning but did surrender back-to-back home runs.

— Ludlam snagged another start, this time as the designated player. Freshman Ella Parker, who has made 12 starts as the designated player, didn’t start either game but saw two at-bats.

— Tiare Jennings hit her sixth home run of the season in the second inning. That briefly tied Brito for the team lead in home runs, before Brito hit a two-run bomb in the fourth inning to reclaim the top spot.

— The Sooners recorded 17 hits, their most in a game this season. Of their 12 runs, eight of them came with two outs on the board.

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— The Sooners are now 18-0 on the season and nine run-rule victories. They’ve won 71 games in a row dating back to last season.

— Up next: The Sooners conclude the OU Tournament against Louisiana at 12:30 p.m. Sunday (ESPN+).



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At least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US

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At least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US


Yasin Gungor

19 April 2026Update: 19 April 2026

At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.

Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.

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The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.

The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.

Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”

No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.

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‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion

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‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers .8 billion


As Louisiana becomes a destination for multibillion-dollar technological investments in the rapidly-expanding data center sector, leaders, including President Trump and Governor Landry, have developed strategies to support that growth without



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Thinking of retiring in Louisiana? These are 5 best places to do so

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Thinking of retiring in Louisiana? These are 5 best places to do so


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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.

If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.

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In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.

The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche

These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.

1. Oak Hills Place

Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.

2. Westminster

Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.

3. River Ridge

River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.

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4. Westlake

Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.

5. Prien

Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.

Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com



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