Oklahoma
Oklahoma City’s Big Three Asserts Itself in Game 2 Victory
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s big three is the antithesis of Kendrick Lamar’s latest hit, “Like That.”
“F— the big three … it’s just big me.”
Lamar might be firing shots at two of his biggest peers in the rap game in Drake and J. Cole, but Oklahoma City’s trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams is simultaneously coming together at its strongest as the NBA playoffs roll on.
Gilgeous-Alexander is obviously an MVP candidate that is leading the wave of success the Thunder is currently experiencing, but as Holmgren alluded to following its 32-point win in Game 2 over the New Orleans Pelicans, the 25-year-old is “too humble to say it.” Nobody in the Oklahoma City locker room is trying to one-up each other or prove they’re the best, it’s just a tight-knit group of mostly young talent trying to compete for the same prize — an NBA Championship.
Last night was a step forward in proving that, as the Thunder took a 2-0 lead in the series off the backs of its leading trio’s combined 80 points of a total of 124. They were dominant throughout the entire game, scoring the ball at an extremely efficient rate and granting a strong defensive effort. The Pelicans stood little to no chance at stopping them, making Oklahoma City all the more confident for an eventual series win.
Game 1 didn’t treat Gilgeous-Alexander as kindly as expected, but he proved why he is at the forefront of a tight race for the MVP award. The guard put up 33 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals on ridiculous 13-of-19 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He only needed four free throws to reach that number, instead flexing his scoring muscles outside of the paint.
That performance was Gilgeous-Alexander’s true statement to the league on the playoff stage that he should be considered one of the best players in the world. He’s the vessel that drives the Thunder to the high levels it reaches, but even so, he needs his co-stars to be there for him.
Holmgren had an impressive playoff debut on Sunday, but Game 2 was an even better outing for the rookie. He dropped 26 points, seven rebounds and two blocks on 9-of-13 shooting, three of which came from behind the arc. Although his frame had been questioned against a bigger center in Jonas Valanciunas, bigger doesn’t always mean better.
The 21-year-old through two games has a +/- of +30, completely blowing Valanciunas’ -16 out of the water. Oklahoma City is considerably winning the battle inside the paint, even if the counting stats haven’t truly showed it.
Last but not least, J-Dub. The man who has convinced fans to bark with him tore it up last night, recording 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal on 10-of-17 shooting. His offense was great, but he also showed his two-way ability by putting the clamps on C.J. McCollum during a brilliant defensive play in the first half.
Williams is serving as a hype man of sorts, upping the energy of the home crowd with his entertaining brand of basketball and funny mannerisms. But it’s not all jokes, the 22-year-old is a legitimate star in the making that can be the Thunder’s primary scoring option if needed. It doesn’t have many shot creators, but he can help alleviate the pressures Gilgeous-Alexander faces.
If Oklahoma City having a big three or not was ever questioned, Game 2 certainly put that idea to rest. Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Williams are here to win, and you can forget age being a factor in preventing that from happening now. They make for one of the best trios in the playoffs no matter their age, and so far, inexperience doesn’t seem to be affecting them from having success.
New Orleans will have to respond to the big three in Game 3, or else it might be deleted from the series faster than “7 Minute Drill.”
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Oklahoma
OSU Softball: Oklahoma State Takes Down Oklahoma
NORMAN – Oklahoma State took care of Oklahoma on Friday.
Karli Godwin went 3 for 4 with four RBIs in the contest as the Cowgirls took the 6-3 victory in game one of the series at Loves Field in Norman.
With the win, OSU improves to 43-8, 20-5 in the conference, while OU falls to 45-5, 21-4 in the conference.
Godwin is playing in her first Bedlam series this weekend, and she is off to a good start. She had two doubles and one home run in the contest, helping OSU secure its first win in Norman since 1997.
She wasn’t the only one that hit bombs against the Sooners on Friday. Micaela Wark and Jilyen Poullard hit home runs as well, including Wark’s long ball giving the Cowgirls the lead.
While the offense was clicking, OSU’s pitching remained dominant. Kyra Aycock got the start, and she held Oklahoma at bay, giving up two runs on one hit, six walks in three innings of work.
Lexi Kilfoyl came on in the fourth inning, and the senior tamed the Sooners. She gave up one run on two hits, two walks and two strikeouts in four innings pitched.
Kelly Maxwell, who transferred from Oklahoma State after last season, got the start for the Sooners, and OSU made quick work. She gave up three runs on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts in four innings of work.
OU got on the board first as Kinzie Hansen drew the bases-loaded walk, making it 1-0 in the first inning.
Kasidi Pickering added to the lead in the second inning, hitting an RBI-single and scoring Rylie Boone to increase the lead to 2-0.
OSU would make something happen in the third inning as Poullard drew a walk and a pitch hit Tallen Edwards. Both would advance after Maxwell threw a wild pitch, setting up runners on second and third with two outs for Godwin.
The freshman delivered, hitting a two-out double down the left field line, scoring Edwards and Poullard and tying the game at 2-2.
Kilfoyl would silence OU in the top of the fourth, and Wark would break the tie in the bottom half of the inning. She launched a ball over the wall in center field, giving the Cowgirls the 3-2 lead.
OSU would go on to collect three runs in the fifth, including Poullard’s solo shot and Godwin’s two-run home run, increasing the lead to 6-2.
Oklahoma would score one run in the sixth, but Kilfoyl shut down the Sooners in the seventh, securing game one of the series for the Cowgirls.
Oklahoma State will look to take the series on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Loves Field in Norman. The game can be seen on ESPN.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma high school tennis girls state championship results
Oklahoma high school coaches, athletes gather for spring sports photos
More than 300 Oklahoma high school athletes and coaches gathered for spring sports photos with The Oklahoman.
Bryan Terry, Sarah Phipps
The 2024 Oklahoma high school girls tennis state championships got underway Friday at Oklahoma City Tennis Center. Here are the results:
More: Why Casady is savoring Oklahoma high school tennis tournaments
Oklahoma high school tennis state championships
At Oklahoma City Tennis Center
Class 6A Girls
No. 1 Singles
Quarterfinals
Avery Arant, Jenks, def. Kathy Liu, Stillwater, 6-0, 6-0
Jasmine Crain, Heritage Hall, def. Hailey Hibbets, Enid, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
Victoria Ricaurte-Cabas, Edmond North, Caelie Cox, def. Bixby, 6-5, 6-1
Ava Goodell, Edmond Memorial, def. Abby Shelley, Bartlesville, 6-2, 6-1
Consolation First Round
Samantha Nguyen, Southmoore, def. Faith Chernisky, Tulsa Bishop Kelley, 6-3, 6-1
Miranda Huang, Norman North, def. Katie Liles, Cascia Hall, 6-1, 3-6, 10-5
London Walker, Broken Arrow, def. Madeline Hogue, Mustang, 6-0, 6-2
Kaylan Griffin, Union, def. Tiana Braxton, Lawton, 6-1, 2-6 (7)
First Round
Avery Arant, Jenks, def. Faith Chernisky, Tulsa Kelley, 6-0, 6-0
Kathy Liu, Stillwater, def. Samantha Nguyen, Southmoore, 6-1, 6-3
Jasmine Crain, Heritage Hall, def. Katie Liles, Cascia Hall, 6-0, 7-5
Hailey Hibbets, Enid, def. Miranda Huang, Norman North, 6-2, 6-1
Victoria Ricaurte-Cabas, Edmond North, def. Madeline Hogue, Mustang, 6-0, 6-0
Caelie Cox, Bixby, def. London Walker, Broken Arrow, 6-3, 6-1
Abby Shelley, Bartlesville, def. Kaylan Griffin, Tulsa Union, 6-0, 6-0
Ava Goodell, Edmond Memorial, def. Tiana Braxton, Lawton, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 Singles
Quarterfinals
Evie Lunsford, Edmond Memorial, def. Grace Henrickson, Edmond North, 6-1, 6-0
Maggie Norwood, Stillwater, def. Avery Jones, Broken Arrow, 6-2, 6-2
Macy Mueller, Bixby, def. Avery Shouse, Heritage Hall, 6-2, 6-2
Carington Hessen, Jenks, def. Maggie Butler, Cascia Hall, 6-1, 6-0
Consolation First Round
Macy Gerkin, Bishop Kelley, def. Mia Johnson, Southmoore, 6-2, 6-2
Ava Kelley, Bartlesville, def. Ashlyn Khien, Deer Creek, 6-1, 6-0
Brianna Hernandez, Union, def. Sadie Hadlock, Westmoore, 6-2, 6-0
Lindee Rex, Norman North, def. Alex Enmark, Yukon, 6-2, 6-1
First Round
Evie Lunsford, Edmond Memorial, def. Macy Gerkin, Tulsa Kelley, 6-0, 6-0
Grace Henrickson, Edmond North, def. Mia Johnson, Southmoore, 6-4, 6-3
Avery Jones, Broken Arrow, def. Ashlyn Khien, Deer Creek, 6-0, 6-3
Maggie Norwood, Stillwater, def. Ava Kelley, Bartlesville, 6-5, 6-0
Macy Mueller, Bixby, def. Sadie Hadlock, Westmoore, 6-0, 6-1
Avery Shouse, Heritage Hall, def. Brianna Hernandez, Tulsa Union, 6-4, 6-0
Maggie Butler, Cascia Hall, def. Alex Enmark, Yukon, 6-4, 4-6, 6-5
Carington Hessen, Jenks, def. Lindee Rex, Norman North, 6-1, 6-1
No. 1 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Henderson/Nasr, Heritage Hall, def. Ochs-Parises, Deer Creek, 6-1, 6-0
Bailey-Wong, Bishop Kelley, def. Gustafson-McKissick, Bartlesville, 6-1, 6-4
Jacobson-Leos, Jenks, def. Elizondo-Teripost, Union, 6-0, 6-0
Krise-Ruff, Edmond Memorial, def. Chalmer-House, Cascia Hall, 6-5, 6-2
Consolation First Round
Edwards-Ropp, Stillwater, def. Beys-Hill, Norman North, 6 (4),2
Ankrom-Blackwell, Yukon, def. Edwards-Flowers, Ponca City, 6-5, 6-2
Fox-Larabee, Edmond North, def. Donshon-Parks, Edmond Santa Fe, 6-1, 6-2
Dobson-Gilliand, Bixby, def. Birch-Terilli, Broken Arrow, 6-1, 6-0
First Round
Henderson/Nasr, Heritage Hall, def. Edwards-Ropp, Stillwater, 6-3 (2)
Ochs-Parises, Deer Creek, def. Beys-Hill, Norman North, 3-6, 6-2, 6-5
Gustafson-McKissick, Bartlesville, def. Edwards-Flowers, Ponca City, 6-0, 6-1
Bailey-Wong, Tulsa Kelley, def. Ankrom-Blackwell, Yukon, 6-4, 6-0
Jacobson-Leos, Jenks, def. Donshon-Parks, Edmond Santa Fe, 6-0, 6-0
Elizondo-Teripost, Tulsa Union, def. Fox-Larabee, Edmond North, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
Chalmer-House, Cascia Hall, def. Dobson-Gilliand, Bixby, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
Krise-Ruff, Edmond Memorial, def. Birch-Terilli, Broken Arrow, 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Siegfried-Tuttle, Cascia Hall, def. Dolezal-Munson, Edmond Memorial, 6-1, 6-3
Hay-Slater, Bixby, def. Hall-Sutton, Stillwater, 6-4, 6-5
Cooper-Mudd, Bishop Kelley, def. Alexander-Miller, Union, 6-4, 6-5
Davie-Haddock, Jenks, def. Petrova-Shoemaker, Edmond North, 6-4, 6-4
Consolation First Round
Nelson-Stuart, Owasso, def. Godina-Smith, Ed. Santa Fe, 6-0, 6-0
Evans-Myers, Deer Creek, def. Pratt-Smith, Norman North, 6-4, 6-3
Christian-Lebsack, Yukon, def. Armstrong-Mattson, Broken Arrow, 6-0, 6-1
Johnston-Trice, Heritage Hall, def. Auschwitz-Craig, Bartlesville, 6, (0), 0
First Round
Siegfried-Tuttle, Cascia Hall, def. Godina-Smith, Edmond Santa Fe, 6-0, 6-0
Dolezal-Munson, Edmond Memorial, def. Nelson-Stuart, Owasso, 6-2, 6-3
Hall-Sutton, Stillwater, def. Pratt-Smith, Norman North, 6-0, 6-1
Hay-Slater, Bixby, def. Evans-Myers, Deer Creek, 6-0, 6-1
Alexander-Miller, Tulsa Union, def. Christian-Lebsack, Yukon, 6-3, 6-3
Cooper-Mudd, Tulsa Kelley, def. Armstrong-Mattson, Broken Arrow, 6-4, 6-2
Petrova-Shoemaker, Edmond North, def. Auschwitz-Craig, Bartlesville, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
Davie-Haddock, Jenks, def. Johnston-Trice, Heritage Hall, 7-6 (2), 6-3
More: Oklahoma high school baseball Class A-B state tournament semifinal roundup
Class 5A Girls
No. 1 Singles
Quarterfinals
Natalie Gillett, Holland Hall, def. Emma Poupard, Guthrie, 6-1, 6-0
Julie Abbott, McGuinness, def. Riley Reese, Carl Albert, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
Sofia Acuna, Classen, def. Madilyn Whittaker, Altus, 6-0, 6-0
Maya Barki, Tulsa Washington, def. Jadyn Brown, Duncan, 6-2, 6-1
Consolation First Round
Katie Moore, Tahlequah, def. Erica Galvez, McAlester, 6-2, 6-1
Isabella-Aragon-Espinaza, Elgin, def. Hadley Perrin, Durant, 6-4, 6-3
Elle Russell, Grove, def. Ella Ramsey, Claremore, 6-1, 6-4
Mercedes Barrazza, Tulsa Edison, def. Raeni Tucker, Sapulpa, 6-2, 1-6, 10-8
First Round
Natalie Gillett, Holland Hall, def. Katie Moore, Tahlequah, 6-0, 6-0
Emma Poupard, Guthrie, def. Erica Galvez, McAlester, 6-0, 6-0
Julie Abbott, McGuinness, def. Hadley Perrin, Durant, 6-1, 6-0
Riley Reese, Carl Albert, def. Isabella-Aragon-Espinaza, Elgin, 6-0, 6-1
Sofia Acuna, Classen, def. Ella Ramsey, Claremore, 6-0, 6-0
Madilyn Whittaker, Altus, def. Elle Russell, Grove, 6-1, 6-3
Jadyn Brown, Duncan, def. Raeni Tucker, Sapulpa, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Maya Barki, Tulsa Washington, def. Mercedes Barrazza, Tulsa Edison, 6-1, 6-0
No. 2 Singles
Quarterfinals
Lily Koontz, Holland Hall, def. Ella Sorrels, Durant, 6-0, 6-3
Georgia Masher, Carl Albert, def. Ava Miller, Duncan, 6-2, 6-3
Paige Griffith, McGuinness, def. Emma Gregg, Altus, 6-3, 6-5
Kira Brown, Classen, def. Esther Zhu, Tulsa Washington, 6-2, 6-3
Consolation First Round
Nieya Moore, Riverfield, def. Anastasia Denysenko, Claremore, 6-2, 6-2
Stephanie Gasea, Southeast, def. Taylor Williams, McAlester, 4-6, 7-5, 10-7
Avery Bynum, Tahlequah, def. Abby Martin, Pryor, 6-2 6-2
Kenzie Hardesty, Guthrie, def. Grace Walz, Elgin, 6-1, 6-1
First Round
Lily Koontz, Holland Hall, def. Nieya Moore, Riverfield, 6-0, 6-2
Ella Sorrels, Durant, def. Anastasia Denysenko, Claremore, 6-2, 6-0
Ava Miller, Duncan, def. Taylor Williams, McAlester, 6-2, 6-1
Georgia Masher, Carl Albert, def. Stephanie Gasea, Southeast, 6-1, 6-1
Paige Griffith, McGuinness, def. Avery Bynum, Tahlequah, 6-2, 2-6, 6-0
Emma Gregg, Altus, def. Abby Martin, Pryor, 6-1, 6-1
Esther Zhu, Tulsa Washington, def. Kenzie Hardesty, Guthrie, 6-0, 6-0
Kira Brown, Classen, def. Grace Walz, Elgin, 6-0, 6-0
No. 1 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Confer-Gillett, Holland Hall, def. Farris-Mitchell, Tulsa Washington, 6-0, 6-1
Minter-Tobin, Guthrie, def. Bowen-Howard, Duncan, 7-5, 6-2
Bryant-Rusche, Carl Albert, def. Greer-Williams, Altus, 6-2, 6-2
Clark-Sillers, Riverfield, def. Do-Potter, McGuinness, 6-0, 6-0
Consolation First Round
Bentley-Summitt, Durant, def. Dronson-Koepke, Shawnee, 6-4, 6-4
Chivers-Greer, Ardmore, def. Pitts-Swain, Midwest City, 7-6, (4), 0-6, (9)
Miller-Whitman, Tahlequah, def. Mohne-Owsley, Tulsa Edison, 6-4, 6-4
Chapuis-Stone, Muskogee, def. Wood-Kornegay, Collinsville, 6-0, 6-4
First Round
Confer-Gillett, Holland Hall, def. Bentley-Summitt, Durant, 6-0, 6-1
Farris-Mitchell, Tulsa Washington, def. Dronson-Koepke, Shawnee, 6-3, 6-0
Bowen-Howard, Duncan, def. Pitts-Swain, Midwest City, 6-3, 6-1
Minter-Tobin, Guthrie, def. Chivers-Greer, Ardmore, 6-1, 6-0
Bryant-Rusche, Carl Albert, def. Mohne-Owsley, Tulsa Edison, 6-1, 6-1
Greer-Williams, Altus, def. Miller-Whitman, Tahlequah, 6-0, 6-1
Do-Potter, McGuinness, def. Wood-Kornegay, Collinsville, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Clark-Sillers, Riverfield, def. Chapuis-Stone, Muskogee, 6-0, 6-2
No. 2 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Cox-Parducci, Holland Hall, def. Patterson-Smith, Riverfield, 6-3, 6-0
Shears-Taveras, Tulsa Washington, def. Thebaud-Villagrana, Duncan, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
Le-Thomas, McGuinness, def. Acuna-Mitchell, Carl Albert, 6-3, 6-4
Bull-Greer, Altus, def. Mitchell-Mitchell, Guthrie, 7-5, 6-1
Consolation First Round
Morse-Petty, Durant, def. Hernandez-Martinez, Lawton Mac, 6-1, 6-2
Scott-Vanmeter, Midwest City, def. Galloway-Leverett, Ardmore, 6-3, 6-3
McCart-Stephens, Tahlequah, def. Green-Pulido, Muskogee, 6-1, 6-1
Boyett-Davis, Grove, def. Murillo-Ross, Tulsa Edison, 6-3, 6-4
First Round
Cox-Parducci, Holland Hall, def. Hernandez-Martinez, Lawton Mac, 6-0, 6-0
Patterson-Smith, Riverfield, def. Morse-Petty, Durant, 6-4, 6-3
Thebaud-Villagrana, Duncan, def. Scott-Vanmeter, Midwest City, 6-0, 6-1
Shears-Taveras, Tulsa Washington, def. Galloway-Leverett, Ardmore, 6-2, 6-1
Acuna-Mitchell, Carl Albert, def. McCart-Stephens, Tahlequah, 6-3, 6-0
Le-Thomas, McGuinness, def. Green-Pulido, Muskogee, 6-1, 6-0
Mitchell-Mitchell, Guthrie, def. Boyett-Davis, Grove, 6-3, 6-1
Bull-Greer, Altus, def. Murillo-Ross, Tulsa Edison, 6-0, 6-0
More: Oklahoma high school golf: OSSAA Class 6A-2A girls state tournament results
Class 4A Girls
No. 1 Singles
Quarterfinals
Ashley Miller, Oklahoma Bible, def. Emma Kruska, Chisholm, 6-0, 6-1
Brityn Waller, Chr. Heritage, def. Emilia Mantilla, Casady, 6-2, 6-4
Sadie Epps, Ada, def. Abbie Dodge, Henryetta, 6-1, 6-2
Audrey Crooks, OCS, def. Mckinley Brewer, Elk City, 6-0, 6-0
Consolation First Round
Kaiya Dobson, Rejoice, def. Carolina Jones, Regent Prep, 6-5, 6-1
Yocelin Hernandez, Byng, def. Kallie Jeffrey, Mount St. Mary, 6-0, 6-1
Lily Boevers, Harding def. Campbell Cryer, Crossings, 6-2, 6-4
Hannah Upchurch, Seminole, def. Katie Barahona, Pauls Valley, 6-1, 6-0
First Round
Ashley Miller, Oklahoma Bible, def. Kaiya Dobson, Rejoice, 6-0, 6-1
Emma Kruska, Chisholm, def. Carolina Jones, Regent, 6-1, 6-2
Brityn Waller, Chr. Heritage, def. Kallie Jeffrey, Mount St. Mary, 6-0, 6-0
Emilia Mantilla, Casady, def. Yocelin Hernandez, Byng, 6-0, 6-0
Sadie Epps, Ada, def. Lily Boevers, Harding Prep, 6-1, 6-1
Abbie Dodge, Henryetta, def. Campbell Cryer, Crossings, 6-0. 6-0
Mckinley Brewer, Elk City, def. Hannah Upchurch, Seminone, 6-3, 6-3
Audrey Crooks, OCS, def. Katie Barahona, Pauls Valley, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 Singles
Quarterfinals
Lily Ross, Casady, def. Riley Demunbrun, Crossings, 6-1, 6-0
Kylie Witt, Ada, def. Connie Dong, Henryetta, Henryetta, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Nikelle Horsburgh, OCS, def. Reagan Cherry, Rejoice, 6-1, 6-2
Reagan Miller, Oklahoma Bible, def. Berkley Garber, Chr. Heritage, 6-0, 6-0
Consolation First Round
Marley Rennie, Pauls Valley, def. Jayla Harris, Harding, 6-3, 6-2
Kirbey Mouse, Elk City, def. Maggie Nokes, Regent, 6-5, 6-4
Daelena Tsonetokoy, Anadarko, def. Maya Wilson, Seminole, 6-2, 6-1
Aneta Vetcha, Oologah, def. Ruby Walker, Victory Christian, 6-4, 6-4
First Round
Lily Ross, Casady, def. Jayla Harris, Harding Prep, 6-1, 6-0
Riley Demunbrun, Crossings, def. Marley Rennie, Pauls Valley, 6-2, 6-2
Connie Dong, Henryetta, def. Kirbey Mouse, Elk City, 6-1, 6-1
Kylie Witt, Ada, def. Maggie Nokes, Regent, 6-1, 6-1
Reagan Cherry, Rejoice, def. Daelena Tsonetokoy, Anadarko, 6-1, 6-2
Nikelle Horsburgh, OCS, def. Maya Wilson, Seminole, 6-1, 6-2
Berkley Garber, Chr. Heritage, def. Aneta Vetcha, Oologah, 6-0, 6-0
Reagan Miller, Oklahoma Bible, def. Ruby Walker, Victory Christian, 6-0, 6-0
No. 1 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Bolin-Brown, Ada, def. Minihan-Lovelace, Crossings, 6-3, 6-3
Bullard-Nuthman, Chr. Heritage, def. Meyer-Thoma, Tecumseh, 6-4, 6-1
Bailey-Thompson, Henryetta, def. Lim-Sollberger, Regent, 6-4, 6-4
Sachdev-Walia, Casady, def. Boatright-Cole, Byng, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
Consolation First Round
Plowman-Smith, Rejoice, def. Keith-Tolle, Purcell, 6-3, 6-1
Rollandini-Ross, Lincoln Christian, def. Griffith-Kuehner, Seminole, 6-2, 6-4
Castillo-Walter, Elk City, def. Jared-Smith, OCS, 6-3, 3-6 (7)
Harris-Olson, Wagoner, def. Edwards-Ray, Oklahoma Bible, 6-3, 6-5
First Round
Bolin-Brown, Ada, def. Plowman-Smith, Rejoice, 6-0, 6-0
Minihan-Lovelace, Crossings, def. Keith-Tolle, Purcell, 6-0, 6-0
Bullard-Nuthman, Chr. Heritage def. Griffith-Kuehner, Seminole, 6-0, 6-0
Meyer-Thoma, Tecumseh, def. Rollandini-Ross, Lincoln Christian, 6-3, 6-3
Lim-Sollberger, Regent, def. Jared-Smith, OCS, 6-2, 6-0
Bailey-Thompson, Henryetta, def. Castillo-Walter, Elk City, 6-3, 6-0
Sachdev-Walia, Casady, def. Harris-Olson, Wagoner, 6-1, 6-4
Boatright-Cole, Byng, def. Edwards-Ray, Oklahoma Bible, 6-2, 6-1
No. 2 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Bullard-Brewer, Chr. Heritage, def. Cadenhead-O’Neal, Ada, 6-5, 6-1
Hapani-Zubair, Casady, def. Crowder-Hamilton, Pauls Valley, 6-3, 6-2
Condict-Holloday, Wagoner, def. Bailey-Miller, Henryetta, 6-1, 6-2
Holloway-Moore, Byng, def. Galloway-Whittington, Elk City, 6-3, 6-3
Consolation First Round
Bass-Fudicker, Mount St. Mary, def. Helton-Mooberry, Regent, 4-6, 6-2 (9)
Caldwell-Hopper, Oklahoma Bible, def. Burk-Scana, Kingfisher, 6-2, 6-1
Brown-Henglein, Crossings, def. Holland-Johnson, OCS, 4-6, 7-6 (7)
Bryan-Kiker, Seminole def. Pendley-Thomas, Purcell, 6-1, 6-1
First Round
Cadenhead-O’Neal, Ada, def. Bass-Fudicker, Mount St. Mary, 6-4, 6-1
Bullard-Brewer, Chr. Heritage, def. Helton-Mooberry, Regent
Crowder-Hamilton, Pauls Valley, def. Burk-Scana, Kingfisher, 6-1, 6-1
Hapani-Zubair, Casady, def. Caldwell-Hopper, Oklahoma Bible, 6-2, 7-6 (6)
Condict-Holloday, Wagoner, def. Brown-Henglein, Crossings, 6-1, 6-3
Bailey-Miller, Henryetta, def. Holland-Johnson, def. Holland-Johnson, OCS, 6-3, 7-5
Galloway-Whittington, Elk City, def. Bryan-Kiker, Seminole, 6-4, 6-1
Holloway-Moore, Byng, def. Pendley-Thomas, Purcell, 6-0, 6-0
Oklahoma
OU Softball: No. 4 Oklahoma State Dismantles No. 2 Oklahoma, Takes Bedlam Opener
NORMAN — Love’s Field sat in stunned silence.
Oklahoma State freshman Karli Godwin hammered a two-run shot in the fifth inning, her fourth RBI of the night, to put the Cowgirls up by four runs.
Oklahoma’s warts of the past month were on display.
Oklahoma only brought one run around in the first inning despite having the bases loaded, and stranded runners all night.
In the other dugout, Kenny Gajewski’s Cowgirls delivered clutch hit after clutch hit to stun the Sooners and take Game 1 of Bedlam for the first time since 2021.
OSU won Friday’s contest 6-3, pulling No. 1 Texas level with the Sooners at the top of the Big 12 standings and putting OU’s 11-year regular season conference title streak in jeopardy.
“Not good enough. Give Oklahoma State credit. They swung it really well. They pitched really well,” OU coach Patty Gasso said after the loss. “… Our bats were not timely. Our defense was great. Our pitchers gave up too much, too many hard-hit balls. They’re good, and we knew it. We have to pitch more competitively. That’s the word we were talking about is competitive. More competitive swings, competitive pitches, athletic that way.”
No. 2 Oklahoma (45-5, 21-4 Big 12) stranded eight baserunners in the loss to No. 4 Oklahoma State (43-8, 20-5), and was out-hit 7-3.
WATCH: Oklahoma’s Bedlam Postgame Press Conference
Friday was OU’s first defeat to the Cowgirls at home since 1997 and OSU’s six runs were the most the team had scored in Norman since a 6-2 Bedlam win on May 2, 1985.
The Cowgirls nearly took the lead from the jump.
Kelly Maxwell fired a pair of strikeouts, but she walked Tallen Edwards to put a runner on first.
Godwin doubled to the wall and Gajewski knew exactly what he wanted. He waved Edwards home, setting up a play at the plate.
Rylie Boone hit Tiare Jennings on the cutoff, and she fired home for a bang-bang play. Edwards slid under Kinzie Hansen’s tag and was called safe, drawing a ferocious fist pump from Gajewski and putting OSU on top — or so the Cowgirls thought.
After review, Edwards’ move to avoid Hansen took her wide enough for the Sooner catcher to apply the tag before Edwards’ hand caught a piece of home. The call was overturned, ending the top of the first with both teams still scoreless.
The Sooners carried that momentum into the bottom half of the inning.
Jayda Coleman, Jennings and Alyssa Brito all drew walks to load the bases with one out.
Hansen drew the fourth walk of the inning putting Oklahoma up 1-0, but the Sooners struggled to turn the screws on Oklahoma State right-hander Kyra Aycock’s shaky start.
Despite only throwing 12 of her 30 first inning pitches for strikes, Aycock got Ella Parker and Alynah Torres to fly out and limit the damage in the frame.
Oklahoma capitalized on a mistake in the second inning.
Kasidi Pickering dribbled a grounder toward the gap in the right side of the infield with two outs and Boone on second. OSU second baseman Rosie Davis covered the ground to field the ball, but mishandled the exchange to her throwing hand as she moved to try and toss the ball.
Boone rounded third and sped home as soon as she saw to ball hit the dirt to double OU’s advantage.
A walk and a hit batter came back to bite Maxwell in the third, as Godwin produced again with a two-out double to clear the bases and tie the game up for the Cowgirls at 2-2.
OSU took the lead in the fourth.
Micaela Wark hammered a one-out delivery to dead center, putting the Cowgirls in front 3-2.
Kierston Deal came on in relief to end Maxwell’s outing to start the fifth. Maxwell allowed four hits and two walks while striking out three batters in her first start against her old team.
“I am extremely proud of Kelly because it’s a very tough situation,” Gasso said of Maxwell. “Even if you’re playing at home, it’s a tough situation for her. So I was proud of her competing. But there’s too many walks.
“There’s hit batters. … I thought Kelly came out and was a little bit nervous, and then she started to settle in a bit, but this is a day that she was knowing was coming, and if you’ve ever been in a situation like that, your heart beats a little bit differently that day.”
The change didn’t slow down the Cowgirls, as Jilyen Poullard greeted Deal with a solo shot to extend OSU’s lead to 4-2.
Godwin continued to torment the Sooners, belting a two-run shot to put the visitors up four.
Gasso went to Karlie Keeney two batters after Godwin’s bomb, ending the night for the back-to-back Big 12 Pitcher of the Week.
Though a small sample size, Deal entered the night with a 4.85 ERA when entering games out of the bullpen, a stark contrast from her form when she starts games. Gasso didn’t put the struggles at the feet of any mental disconnect from starting games to entering in relief, however.
“KD has been our hottest pitcher as of late,” Gasso said. “So if I felt like (if) she wasn’t ready to come in, I wouldn’t put her in. It’s just, she had an off night, she left the ball over the plate too many times and she’ll tell you that herself.”
Hansen didn’t see any difference out of the sophomore left hander, either.
“They executed on good pitches really,” Hansen said. “That’s all you can really say. I think that the ones that we were trying to get them to chase on, they didn’t and then the ones that were over the plate they got the barrel on it, so tip the cap to them.”
Over the past three seasons, the fifth inning is typically where Oklahoma turned the tide, pulling a dramatic comeback victory out of the fire.
With runners on first and second, Boone popped up her first pitch to record the second out, but Coleman helped get one run back for OU.
Her hard-hit ball to third turned into a run off a bad throw, allowing Coleman to reach base and a run to score, but Pickering flew out with runners at the corners, ending the sixth with the Cowgirls up 6-3.
Still, OU was held without a hit from the second inning until the sixth.
“They pitched really well,” Jennings said. “But at a certain point we got to adjust. We had little spurts of it here and there. Just not enough to execute.”
Keeney stopped the bleeding in the circle to give Oklahoma one final chance. The Sooners had Jennings, Brito and Hansen due up in the seventh to erase the three-run deficit.
This time, there was no magic.
Jennings flew out to the warning track and Brito and Hansen both grounded out to end the contest.
“We gave ourselves a chance late in the game, but we were just kind of in a lull in the middle,” Gasso said. “Against a good team, you can’t give up innings. You can’t sit back and wait. There have been times when we used to be able to do that pretty easily. We’re not made that way this year.
“We can’t take innings off. We have got to grind, work better at passing the bat on that side. And we have to make competitive pitches. We keep trying to catch up but then giving up a lead, then what does that help? We talked a lot more about being competitive and fearless. Fearless.”
Game 2 between the Bedlam rivals will start at noon Saturday, and will be broadcast on ESPN.
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