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Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Oklahoma's efforts to educate, prevent, and support survivors

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Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Oklahoma's efforts to educate, prevent, and support survivors


Q: What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and why is it important?

A: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time dedicated to educating communities and supporting survivors of sexual assault. It’s a month to raise awareness about prevention and resources available to survivors and to encourage societal change.

Q: How is the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) working to raise awareness?

A: The OSDH is focusing on educating the public about sexual violence and the role individuals can play in preventing it. They are also highlighting the availability of resources for survivors. Emily Nicholls, Violence Prevention Coordinator at OSDH, emphasizes that everyone can contribute to prevention efforts.

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Q: What does the latest data say about the prevalence of sexual assault in Oklahoma?

A: According to the OSDH’s 2023 data, about 14.5% of Oklahomans have experienced sexual assault. The numbers are even more alarming for women, with 1 in 5 women reporting they’ve been assaulted at some point in their lifetime.

Q: What role does education play in preventing sexual violence?

A: Prevention begins early. Nicholls explains that teaching children about consent and personal boundaries is critical. She stresses that sexual violence is not just an individual issue but a societal problem that requires broad community efforts to address.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about sexual violence?

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A: One common misconception is that sexual violence is a personal issue. In reality, it’s a widespread societal problem. By focusing on preventing sexual violence, we can also address related issues like youth violence, bullying, and teen dating violence, creating a safer environment for everyone.

Q: How can people access help if they are impacted by sexual violence or domestic abuse?

A: Nicholls encourages individuals impacted by sexual or domestic violence to call the Oklahoma Safeline, a 24/7 hotline that connects people to victim service programs. It’s one of the most direct ways to get help and find support in the community.

Q: What is the significance of federal funding in Oklahoma’s efforts?

A: Federal funding, such as the CDC grant for rape prevention and education, is helping the OSDH build safer environments and strengthen support systems for survivors. The grant also supports local agencies like DVIS in Tulsa, making a significant impact on both prevention and survivor support efforts.

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Q: What key message does OSDH want the public to understand about sexual assault?

A: Nicholls stresses that sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of identity or income level. It’s important to understand that all survivors deserve support and respect, and the blame should never fall on them. A shift in mindset is needed to help prevent violence and support survivors effectively.

Q: How can Oklahomans get involved in these efforts?

A: The OSDH encourages people to connect with local programs that support survivors and work to prevent sexual violence. By getting involved in the community, individuals can make a real difference in reducing sexual violence in Oklahoma.





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Oklahoma vs Oregon softball: How to watch today’s WCWS elimination game

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Oklahoma vs Oregon softball: How to watch today’s WCWS elimination game


Oklahoma and Oregon softball will meet today at 7 p.m. in the Women’s College World Series.

Fans can watch the game on ESPN2 or stream it on FuboTV, Sling or DirecTV.

Streaming Options

Streaming Options Price/Month Free Trial? Deal
FuboTV $84.99 Yes $20 off the first month
Sling $45.99 N/A N/A
DirecTV $79.99 Yes $20 off the first month

DirecTV and FuboTV both offer free trials and $20 off the first month of your subscription. Sling Orange plans which include ESPN and ESPN2 are $45.99 per month.

Oregon defeated Ole Miss, 6-5 on Friday and Oklahoma was defeated by Texas, 4-2 on Saturday.

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The winner of today’s game will advance to play Texas Tech, while the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.

The WCWS best-of-three championship finals will begin on June 5.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 16 Oregon

When: Sunday, June 1

Time: 7 p.m. ET

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Where: Oklahoma City

Channel: ESPN2



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OU Baseball: Oklahoma Wilts as North Carolina Overpowers OU Ace

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OU Baseball: Oklahoma Wilts as North Carolina Overpowers OU Ace


Oklahoma’s Witherspoon brothers reversed roles this weekend in the NCAA Tournament.

No. 3 starter Malachi Witherspoon, who posted a 1-8 record in SEC play with a 6.08 earned run average, dominated Nebraska on Friday night at the Chapel Hill Regional.

Then ace Kyson Witherspoon, who went 5-3 against the Southeastern Conference with a 2.98 ERA, was rocked for six unearned runs in the first inning against host North Carolina on Saturday.

Baseball can be weird sometimes.

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Kyson Witherspoon’s early struggles against the Tar Heels eventually became an 11-5 Sooner loss at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, as the No. 5 national seed Tar Heels rolled to an easy victory.

OU fell to 36-21 on the season, while UNC improved to 44-12.

The No. 2-seed Sooners now face elimination Sunday in an 11 a.m. CT rematch with Nebraska. OU beat the 3-seed Cornhuskers 7-4 in their first-round game on Friday after jumping on top 7-0. The Tar Heels await the survivor of that contest Sunday at 5 p.m. CT. Nebraska eliminated 4-seed Holy Cross 4-1 on Saturday morning.

After OU left a runner in scoring position in the top of the first, North Carolina most certainly did not in the bottom of the first.

Kane Kepley reached on what would become a fatal error by Dawson Willis, but Witherspoon quickly retired the next two hitters.

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That would be the Sooners’ only highlight early.

Two-out singles from Gavin Gallaher, Hunter Stokely, Alex Madera and Tyson Bass staked UNC to a 3-0 lead — all unearned due to the error at third base.

That’s when right fielder Sam Angelo broke it open with a three-run home run to left field that made it 6-0.

“Just figuring out what we’re doing,” OU coach Skip Johnson said during a fourth-inning in-game interview with the ESPN broadcast crew. “If we play good catch in the first inning, I think he throws six pitches. They took the momentum and we’ve gotta get some momentum back.”

Witherspoon’s previous season high for runs allowed — for an entire game — was four (twice). The Tar Heels scored six in their first eight batters.

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His previous season-high for hits allowed was six (four times), but UNC had seven after loading the bases again in the second inning. 

The Sooners were chasing the scoreboard rest of the night, and that was a tough task against Carolina hurler Jason DeCaro, who came into the weekend with a 10-4 record and a 3.42 ERA. DeCaro went six innings, allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out eight while walking none.

UNC added a run in the fourth to make it 7-0 on Gallaher’s RBI single to score Kepley, but things got really out of hand in the fifth.

Bass and Angelo hammered back-to-back solo home runs to extend the Tar Heels’ lead to 9-0 and end Witherspoon’s night.

Witherspoon hadn’t given up more than one home run in a game all season, but he served up three on this night. His four-inning start also tied his shortest outing of the season (he threw four innings at Alabama on March 28).

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Witherspoon finished the night yielding a season-high 10 hits and nine runs — three earned — and tied both his season-low with just four strikeouts and his season-high with three walks.

“Kyson’s been really good for us all year,” Johnson said.

The Sooners finally answered with a pair of runs in the sixth on Sam Christiansen’s RBI double and Kyle Branch’s RBI groundout.

But North Carolina answered immediately with a run in the bottom of the inning when Gavyn Jones gave up a hit batter, a wild pitch and an RBI single by Madera to make it 10-2.

OU plated another run when Drew Dickerson opened the seventh with a single, advanced on back-to-back ground-ball outs and came home on Trey Gambill’s RBI single up the middle to cut it to 10-3.

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Again, however, the Tar Heels answered when Beau Sampson walked Angelo to lead off, then misfired a pair of wild pitches and eventually gave up an RBI single to Carter French for an 11-3 lead. 

OU made it 11-4 in the eighth when Christiansen drew a one-out walked, took second on a passed ball and scored on Dasan Harris’ RBI single to left.

Jaxson Willits make it 11-5 in the ninth when he delivered an RBI single to score Jason Walk.

Left hander Cameron Johnson came in to pitch the eighth for OU. Johnson, a weekend starter over the first seven weeks of the season after transferring from LSU, hadn’t made an appearance on the mound since April 13 and had only thrown 20 innings total in 2025.



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What channel is Texas vs Oklahoma softball today? Time, TV schedule for WCWS game

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What channel is Texas vs Oklahoma softball today? Time, TV schedule for WCWS game


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It’s Red River Rivalry time in the 2025 Women’s College World Series.

No. 6 Texas and No. 2 Oklahoma will square off in the winner’s bracket of the WCWS from Devon Field in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, presenting a rematch of the 2024 championship series. With a win, either team would move that much closer to booking a return to the end-of-tournament series to determine the national champion.

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The Longhorns used a dominant start from Teagan Kavan to earn a 3-0 victory over No. 3 Florida, while Ella Parker delivered a three-run walk-off home run off Karlyn Pickens and No. 7 Tennessee to steal a win. Patty Gasso and the Sooners are looking to earn a fifth straight championship.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s WCWS winner’s bracket game between rivals Texas and Oklahoma:

Stream Texas vs. Oklahoma with ESPN+

What channel is Texas vs Oklahoma softball on today?

  • TV channel: ABC
  • Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+

Texas and Oklahoma’s winner’s bracket game will air on ABC. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and ESPN+, the latter of which is ESPN’s subscription service. Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Jessica Mendoza (analyst) and Michele Smith (analyst) will be on the call, with Holly Rowe serving as the sideline reporter.

Texas vs Oklahoma softball start time

  • Date: Saturday, May 31
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET

First pitch for Texas and Oklahoma’s winner’s bracket game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Texas softball schedule 2025

Below is Texas’ postseason schedule. For the Longhorns’ full schedule, click here.

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Austin Regional

  • Friday, May 16: No. 6 Texas 10, Eastern Illinois 2
  • Saturday, May 17: No. 6 Texas, Michigan 4
  • Sunday, May 18: No. 6 Texas 9, UCF 0

Austin Super Regional

  • Thursday, May 22: No. 11 Clemson 7, No. 6 Texas 4
  • Friday, May 23: No. 6 Texas 7, No. 11 Clemson 5
  • Saturday, May 24: No. 6 Texas 6,No. 11 Clemson 5

Women’s College World Series

  • Thursday, May 29: No. 6 Texas 3, No. 3 Florida 0
  • Saturday, May 31: No. 6 Texas vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (3 p.m.)

Oklahoma softball schedule 2025

Below is Oklahoma’s postseason schedule. For the Sooners’ full schedule, click here.

Norman Regional:

  • Friday, May 16: No. 2 Oklahoma 8, Boston College 0
  • Saturday, May 17: No. 2 Oklahoma 11, Cal 2
  • Sunday, May 18: No. 2 Oklahoma 12, Cal 1

Normal Super Regional:

  • Friday, May 23: No. 2 Oklahoma 3, No. 15 Alabama 0
  • Saturday, May 24: No. 2 Oklahoma 13, No. 15 Alabama 2

Women’s College World Series:

  • Thursday, May 29: No. 2 Oklahoma 4, No. 7 Tennessee 3
  • Saturday, May 31: No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 6 Texas (3 p.m.)

Women’s College World Series schedule

  • Women’s College World Series: May 29-June 6
  • WCWS finals: June 4-5/6

The Women’s College World Series will run from May 29 through June 6, with the three-game WCWS finals taking place from June 4 through June 5 or June 6, depending on whether teams need the “if necessary” game.



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