Oklahoma

Oklahoma Softball: Sooners Dominate Prairie View A&M in NCAA Tournament Opener

Published

3 years ago

May 20, 2022

Oklahoma Softball: Sooners Dominate Prairie View A&M in NCAA Tournament Opener

NORMAN — Oklahoma kicked off its title protection in fashion on Friday evening.

Coming into the NCAA Event because the No. 1-overall seed, the Sooners simply dispatched the Prairie View A&M Panthers 14-0 at Marita Hynes Discipline.

With true freshman Jordy Bahl nonetheless battling by way of arm soreness, sophomore pitcher Nicole Might took the circle and shined.

Finishing 4 innings of labor, Might struck out seven batters and allowed no hits and only one stroll earlier than OU head coach Patty Gasso withdrew her from the sport.

In help of Might, Oklahoma’s offense began the competition off with a bang.

Jayda Coleman, again within the leadoff spot for the Sooners (50-2), was hit on the hand by a pitch to instantly give OU a risk on the bottom paths.

Within the ensuing at-bat, Jocelyn Alo battled to a full-count, and drew a stroll. Gasso had Coleman on the transfer forward of the stroll, nonetheless, and Panthers (20-29) catcher Biviana Figueroa needlessly threw right down to second base towards Coleman. Figueroa missed her goal, sending the ball skidding into middle area and permitting Coleman to steal third base.

Gasso saved the foot on the gasoline, and the Sooners scored with out sophomore star Tiare Jennings needing to swing the bat.

Alo was instructed to steal second, however this time Figueroa’s throw arrived in loads of time. Prairie View A&M had Alo caught in a rundown, and whereas Alo was tagged out, Coleman was capable of steal residence to take the 1-0 lead.

However on the subsequent pitch, Jennings launched a moonshot over the scoreboard and towards the followers gathered behind the partitions of Marita Hynes Discipline in Residence Run Village.

Had Alo simply stayed on first, OU would have added an additional run, however the Sooners nonetheless gleefully took the 2-0 lead on the finish of the primary inning.

After a quiet second inning, the highest of the lineup lastly ignited the followers at Marita Hynes Discipline within the third inning.

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Coleman reached base on an infield single to start out the body, after which stole second.

The additional base was all Alo would want to drive residence the run, because the tremendous senior singled up the center to plate Coleman and lengthen the result in 3-0.

Lynnsie Elam then drove in a few runs with two outs, firing a hard-hit grounder up the left area line.

Later within the inning, alert base working by Elam capped off the body because the catcher stole residence on a wild pitch to increase the result in 6-0.

Whereas Might cruised within the circle, the Sooner offense ensured the competition wouldn’t go the gap within the fourth inning.

Coleman continued her stellar outing, driving in Taylon Snow with an RBI-single. The OU middle fielder then had one of the best seat in the home, as Alo barreled a no-doubter effectively over Coleman’s head into the proper area bleachers to push the result in 9-0.

To not be outdone, shortstop Grace Lyons rocketed a two-run blast of her personal later within the inning.

True freshman Turiya Coleman additionally received in on the motion, hitting her first profession residence run and driving in Hannah Coor and Sophia Nugent to place the cherry on prime of the eight-run fourth inning.

Hope Trautwein entered within the prime of the fifth inning to shut out the mixed no-hitter, including a pair of strikeouts within the course of.

Oklahoma will return to motion within the Norman Regional Saturday at 1 p.m., as Oklahoma will meet Texas A&M in a winner’s bracket battle. The winner of the competition will advance to Sunday’s Regional Ultimate and may have two probabilities to punch a ticket to subsequent weekend’s Tremendous Regional.

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Oklahoma

Why Doesn’t Oklahoma Have An OTA-Run Train System

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Why Doesn’t Oklahoma Have An OTA-Run Train System

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has been in operation for 77 years with the goal of creating and maintaining Oklahoma’s turnpike systems.

Executive Director Joe Echelle spoke with News On 6 about various topics surrounding the OTA including why it hasn’t invested in a high-speed rail system despite having the authority to do so.

Has the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) considered implementing train systems or parking garages?

According to Joe Echelle, Executive Director of the OTA, there are provisions in state statute that allow for the potential development of parking garages or train systems under the agency’s purview. However, these concepts have not materialized due to their immense costs and logistical challenges.

What are the challenges of building a train system between Oklahoma City and Tulsa?

Echelle explained that constructing a high-speed rail system between the two cities would cost billions of dollars. Beyond the upfront expense, the operational logistics make it difficult to justify such a project.

“In order to affect the number of vehicles that travel the Turner Turnpike, which is north of 40,000 vehicles on a weekday, you’d need to get thousands of people on a train. That’s just not feasible,” said Echelle.

Factors like frequency, ridership demand, and infrastructure costs all contribute to the challenge.

Could other forms of transportation, like buses, be more feasible?

Echelle believes there is potential for alternative solutions, such as an express bus service connecting Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He pointed to the success of the OSU bus system, which transports students between campuses in Stillwater, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City.

“As we get the Turner Turnpike widened, I think it’s a real possibility to get an express bus service. But first, we need to address congestion by separating truck traffic from commuter lanes,” Echelle said.

To be clear, OTA wouldn’t have any role in creating or maintaining a bus service, but Echelle believes the expanded turnpike would be able to facilitate one.

Why is expanding the Turner Turnpike prioritized over alternative transportation?

Echelle said the Turner Turnpike currently handles traffic effectively, but ongoing efforts to expand it to six lanes aim to improve flow and address future congestion. Echelle emphasized that widening the turnpike will allow truck traffic to remain in the outer lanes, giving commuters smoother travel options in the inner lanes.

Could parking garages still be part of OTA’s future?

While state law includes provisions for parking infrastructure, the focus for the OTA remains on improving roadways and exploring more viable transportation alternatives.

What is OTA’s overall vision for transportation in Oklahoma?

Echelle stated that a well-rounded transportation network, which includes trains, buses, and rapid transit, is essential for the state’s growing metropolitan areas. However, practical solutions like express bus services are more likely in the near term, especially as the Turner Turnpike widening progresses.

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Oklahoma

Report Card: Oklahoma moves to 11-0 with an 87-86 win over Michigan

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Report Card: Oklahoma moves to 11-0 with an 87-86 win over Michigan

The No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners are now 11-0 after a wild 87-86 win over No. 24 Michigan, erasing an 11-point second-half deficit. Freshman Jeremiah Fears was the star down the stretch, finishing with 30 points, including a game-winning four-point play in the final seconds, to push OU to victory.

Fears wasn’t alone. Duke Miles contributed 17 points, with three big three-pointers, including a clutch shot during a 9-0 run that gave the Sooners their first lead of the second half. Jalon Moore also had 16 points before fouling out late.

The two seven-footers for Michigan — Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf — were a tough matchup for OU, as they are for most teams. Goldin dropped 26 points, while Wolf added 15. Both grabbed 10 rebounds for double-doubles.

Tre Donaldson (14 points) and Roddy Gayle (15 points) also had solid performances for Michigan. But in the end, it was Fears’ late heroics that sealed it for the Sooners. Now, let’s dive into the Report Card from Oklahoma’s ranked win:

MVP: Jeremiah Fears

It was a slower first half for Fears, but he continued to get to the line, drawing fouls at a high rate and racking up points from the free throw line. In the second half, though, he broke loose, scoring 20 of his career-high 30 points, including the game-winning four-point play.

In 34 minutes of action, Fears also recorded five turnovers and four assists. He shot 8-12 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and 11-13 from the free throw line—making his 30-point performance even more impressive.

Oklahoma needed big-time shot-making from their guards if they were going to pull this one out, and Fears delivered, showcasing why he’s likely a future NBA lottery pick.

Fears has proven to be the biggest difference-maker in Porter Moser’s tenure at Oklahoma. The Sooners simply haven’t had a player who can do what he does. He showed the clutch gene that could make a huge impact as OU heads into SEC play.

Starting Five: A-minus

Fears was phenomenal, but Miles’ impressive play down the stretch cannot be overlooked. Oklahoma starts three guards, and we’ve seen each of them have their nights scoring-wise. The recipe for success, though, is having two of those guards clicking at once, and tonight, Fears and Miles delivered.

Miles totaled 17 points — 15 of which came in the second half — on 5-11 shooting from the field, 3-6 from behind the arc, and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. He hit several clutch shots, including one three-pointer that gave Oklahoma their first lead of the night.

Moore also contributed, adding 16 points on 4-12 shooting from the field and 3-5 from deep, despite being in foul trouble for much of the night. He ultimately fouled out late in the second half.

Sam Godwin chipped in with 6 points and 7 rebounds on 3-6 shooting, while Kobe Elvis added 5 points on 2-7 shooting, including 1-4 from behind the arc. With Fears going for 30, Miles putting up 17, and Moore adding 16, the starters had a strong night overall.

Bench: B-plus

Glenn Taylor stepped up in a big way for Oklahoma. Playing 29 minutes — second most on the team — Taylor totaled 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He shot 3-5 from the field and 2-4 from behind the arc.

Taylor was a key defensive presence throughout the entire game, but he also contributed offensively, particularly in the first half. He scored 8 first-half points and hit two timely three-pointers. His all-around play, making several small but important contributions, helped Oklahoma secure the win.

In other bench news: Luke Northweather scored 2 points on 1-2 shooting in 14 minutes, while Brycen Goodine added 2 points on 1-2 shooting in 11 minutes. Dayton Forsythe had a solid 5-minute stint, and Mohamed Wague played just two minutes.

Rebounding: B

It’s important to note that Michigan’s two seven-footers posed a tough matchup for Oklahoma, and heading into the game, it was expected that the Wolverines would win the rebounding battle. They did, 37-32, but the Sooners kept it close, losing the battle by just five. Given the size disparity, losing by just five on the boards is a solid effort for OU.

Three-Point Shooting: A-plus

The Sooners were red-hot from beyond the arc, shooting 6-12 (50%) in the second half and finishing 12-25 (48%) for the game.

This sharp shooting played a huge role in their comeback win. With Michigan building an 11-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining, OU knew they needed to keep knocking down shots from deep—and they did just that. Miles, Fears, and Moore each hit three three-pointers, while Taylor contributed with two of his own.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

Published

18 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

The Oklahoma Sooners improved to 11-0 on the 2024-2025 college basketball season with an incredible come-from-behind win over the Michigan Wolverines in the Jumpman Invitational.

Jeremiah Fears dazzled with a career-high 30 points, including the game-tying three with 11 seconds remaining, and after being fouled on the three, put the Sooners ahead for good at the foul line.

The Oklahoma Sooners are 11-0 for just the second time in the last 10 years and are now 2-0 against top-25 opponents this season.

Sooners Battled

Porter Moser’s squad showed incredible toughness in the win over the Wolverines. Michigan boasts two of the better big men in the nation in Vladisl Goldin and Danny Wolf. The two combined for 41 points, including 27 first half points.

But Moser made adjustments, and the Sooners defense battled back in the second half to limit the two to just 14 points. Despite being undersized on the inside, Jalon Moore, Sam Godwin, Luke Northweather, and Glenn Taylor Jr. took the fight to the Wolverines impressive big men.

The Sooners overcame 11-point deficits on two different occasions in the second half to take a four-point lead late in the half. And even after they allowed Michigan to take over and go up three with just over a minute to play, Moser drew up a great play to get Fears just enough space to hit the game-tying three with just 11 seconds to play.

It was a resilient win for the Sooners. Through 11 games, Oklahoma looks like a team ready to make a tournament run.

Phenomenal Freshman

Jeremiah Fears has been impressive throughout the season, but he took his game to another level in the win over Michigan. He was 8 of 12 from the field, 3 of 4 from three, and 11 of 13 from the free throw line to lead the Sooners.

His previous career high came in Oklahoma’s other top 25 win of the season against the Arizona Wildcats. Fears has put together his best performances for Oklahoma’s toughest tests.

In the final five minutes of the Sooners’ comeback win, Fears accounted for seven of Oklahoma’s final nine points to earn the win.

He’s been sensational this season and looks every bit the part of a future NBA Draft Lottery Pick.

Three’s the Difference

The Oklahoma Sooners were outrebounded by six on the offensive glass, but they overcame Michigan’s edge on the boards with a really good night shooting from a distance.

Oklahoma was 12 of 25 from three, while Michigan was just 4 of 28 from downtown. Moore, Fears, and Duke Miles each hit three triples and Taylor added a pair off the bench.

If the Sooners can continue to shoot with consistency from three, they’ll be really tough to beat this season. Especially as Fears and Moore continue to finish in the paint.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

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