Oklahoma
Report: Oklahoma Softball Trio Enters Transfer Portal
Transfer portal season has arrived in Oklahoma.
Justin McLeod, associate editor for D1 Softball, reported that Oklahoma infielders Avery Hodge and Quincee Lilio have entered the transfer portal alongside pitcher SJ Geurin.
Oklahoma P SJ Geurin – who redshirted in 2023 and pitched ten innings in 2024 – has also entered the transfer portal.
— Justin McLeod (@justfactsmaam) June 10, 2024
Hodge, who battled for playing time with Alynah Torres at second base all year, will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Hodge, a product of Richmond, TX, was a key piece of the Sooners’ run through the WCWS at Devon Park.
Torres got injured in OU’s 1-0 win over UCLA, thrusting the defensive stalwart into a larger role.
She responded impressively, hitting a combined 4-for-12 with a pair of doubles and a walk against the Bruins and in two games apiece against Florida and Texas.
Hodge’s double in Oklahoma’s second contest against Florida turned into the game-tying run when Ella Parker brought her home with a single in the sixth inning, allowing Jayda Coleman to walk the game off in the eighth inning and fire the Sooner back into the WCWS Championship Series.
“I’m really proud of Avery Hodge,” OU coach Patty Gasso said of her second baseman after Oklahoma beat Texas 8-3 in the first game of the Championship Series. “… She had some really tough defensive plays. They’re quick and they can chop balls. You’ve got to attack it and pick ’em. She made two really outstanding plays.”
Hodge hit .284 for the year with nine RBIs, five doubles, 11 walks and nine strikeouts in 74 total at-bats.
Playing time could have opened up for Hodge headed into 2025.
With Torres, Tiare Jennings and Alyssa Brito all graduating, the Sooners will have to replace three consistent starters in the infield as the program heads into the SEC.
Nothing was going to be certain, however.
Of Oklahoma’s eight signees in the 2024 class, four players — Sydney Barker, Gabbie Garcia, Kadey McKay and Tia Milloy — all project to compete in the middle of the infield.
Lilio, who has worked at second base and in the outfield for the Sooners, will have two years of eligibility remaining.
After redshirting in 2022, Lilio appeared in 47 games, making 12 starts, for OU in 2023.
She hit .275 with one home run, two doubles, one triple and nine RBIs while walking 11 times and striking out four times.
In 2024, Lilio saw herself fall down the pecking order a bit.
Freshmen Kasidi Pickering and Parker shined, giving Gasso a pair of consistent bats that rarely were moved to the bench in favor of a pinch-hitter.
Lilio only got 31 at-bats in 2024, hitting .129 with five RBIs, 10 walks and six strikeouts.
She also never really found a foothold defensively with Tiare Jennings locking down the left side of the infield at shortstop and Torres and Hodge splitting time at second base.
Hodge and Lilio were also absent from Oklahoma’s championship celebration at Love’s Field on Saturday.
Geurin, a redshirt freshman, will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Geurin made the fewest appearances out of the bullpen on the team in 2024, pitching 10 innings in nine relief outings.
She ended the year with a 0.70 ERA, allowing one earned run and striking out nine batters while allowing three walks. Geurin help opponents to a .118 batting average.
The Leander, TX, product made four appearances in Big 12 play: she there 2/3 of an inning against Iowa State, had a pair of one inning outings against Kansas and made her last appearance of the year by recording one out against BYU on April 12.
She was behind Kelly Maxwell, Nicole May, Kierston Deal, Karlie Keeney and Paytn Monticelli in the pecking order.
Maxwell, May and Keeney will not return in 2025 after graduating, but the Sooners are expected to pursue additional arms in the transfer portal.
The Sooners have a strong foundation to build upon, with first baseman Cydney Sanders, outfielder Hannah Coor and standout freshmen in Pickering and Parker all returning with experience.
Freshman Maya Bland, who primarily found playing time as a pinch-runner last year, is poised to compete for a bigger role in 2025 as well.
Oklahoma
Bojangles announces events, giveaways planned for opening of OKC location
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — If you have been waiting for the opening of a popular fast-food chain in Oklahoma City, your wait is almost over.
On Tuesday, Bojangles will open its first Oklahoma location in Oklahoma City.
The new restaurant, located at 13135 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City, has a list of events planned throughout opening day.
The first 100 guests in line on April 28th will receive a $100 gift card and exclusive, Oklahoma City -themed merchandise.
Also, 10 dine-in guests can enter for a chance to win free Bojangles breakfast for a year.
At 3 p.m. on April 28, the restaurant will transform into a full-scale block party. Guests will be able to enjoy a live DJ, a mechanical bull, branded merchandise, and a sweepstakes.
“We are ecstatic about introducing Bojangles to Oklahoma and bringing our unique Southern charm to the market,” said Jose Armario, CEO of Bojangles. “Our recent expansions into new markets have been met with tremendous enthusiasm, and we are confident that the Oklahoma City community will embrace our delicious offerings with the same excitement.”
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The new store will open its doors at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28th.
Oklahoma
OKC Thunder Announce Starting Lineup Against Suns In Game 2
The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of their opening-round series. The OKC Thunder are hoping that they can repeat their Sunday afternoon performance in this contest. Game 2 will be an interesting test with the Suns having more time to prepare.
Phoenix was up against a rock and a hard place in the series opener. The Oklahoma City Thunder not only have the talent advantage but the rest advantage as well. Phoenix punched their ticket to the NBA Playoffs on Friday night by staving off the Golden State Warriors on Friday night before landing in Oklahoma City on Saturday and playing on Saturday afternoon to the tune of a 119-84 blowout Thunder victory.
The NBA has seen plenty of upsets already. The Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers have all stolen games from the higher seed. The Thunder know they have to keep the foot on the gas in this contest.
“These series are unpredictable. No 2 games are the same. The minute you make an assumption, you are overconfident, or the minute you go down and you’re overly urgent, that can impact your ability to be present in the next game,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said pregame on Wednesday night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are seeing the Suns make an adjustment with their starting lineup by inserting Collin Gillespie to give Phoenix a trio of ball handling scoring options alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green. This gives the Suns hope to be able to find better shot quality against this stifling Thunder defensive unit.
Oklahoma City is healthier now than they have been all season. The Thunder only are missing rookie Thomas Sorber (ACL) who is out for the year. This allows the Bricktown Ballers to roll out their traditional first five in this contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 2 Starting Lineup
Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
- Lu Dort, G
- Jalen Williams, F
- Chet Holmgren, F
- Isaiah Hartenstein, C
Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup
- Devin Booker, G
- Jalen Green, G
- Collin Gillespie, G
- Dillon Brooks, F
- Oso Ighodaro, C
The series will shift to Phoenix this weekend as the Oklahoma City Thunder hope to head into Saturday afternoon’s Game 3 with a 2-0 advantage in the series.
Stay tuned to Thunder on SI for complete coverage of the NBA Playoff run for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Oklahoma
Woman rescued from Oklahoma City house fire; no injuries reported
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to a home fire late Tuesday evening, around 10:42 p.m.
According to OKCFD, fire could be seen from a window of the home located in the 4200 block of N. Phillips Avenue.
Firefighters were able to rescue an adult female from inside the home. No injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
Investigators believe that the fire may have originated from an outlet near the refrigerator that had a power strip plugged in that was supplying multiple appliances.
There was also no smoke detector present within the home.
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