Tiare Jennings’ Grand Slam Propels Oklahoma to Run Rule Win Over Northwestern

OKLAHOMA CITY — For the second straight yr, Oklahoma gave the impression to be off to a precarious begin on the Ladies’s Faculty World Sequence.

Simply as they did in opposition to James Madison one yr in the past, the top-seeded Sooners fell behind within the high of the third inning at Corridor of Fame Stadium.

In 2021, OU instantly tied the sport within the backside of the third inning, however fell to James Madison in additional innings.

Thursday, the Sooners (55-2) didn’t simply draw stage with the Northwestern Wildcats (45-12), however as a substitute blew by their competitors in backside half of the body.

OU second baseman Tiare Jennings stepped into the field with the bases loaded and delivered an enormous grand slam within the backside of the third to place her workforce up 5-1.

From there, the Sooners cruised.

Oklahoma rode a six-run third inning to a 13-2 win over the Wildcats on Thursday, organising a rematch with the Texas Longhorns on Saturday.

Issues gave the impression to be shifting easily for OU tremendous senior Hope Trautwein within the circle, as she retired eight fo the primary 10 Northwestern batters she confronted in her first begin on the WCWS.

However one swing from Wildcat proper fielder Rachel Lewis modified issues for Trautwein within the third inning.

Lewis despatched a solo shot over the fence in left area, and Trautwein then walked back-to-back batters, matching her season-high of 4 walks by means of the primary three innings.

With runners on first and second, Trautwein steadied herself and bought out of the jam.

Instantly, OU’s offense responded.

Rylie Boone took benefit of Northwestern’s outfield taking part in shallow in on her, and hit the ball over Lewis’ head and off the wall for a double. Earlier than time had even been referred to as, Boone ignited her dugout and the pro-OU crowd with a number of huge fist pumps at second base.

Oklahoma then took the momentum and ran with it. Jana Johns singled to attain Boone and the Sooners continued to take small bites on the apple, ultimately loading the bases forward of Jennings’ grand slam.

Boone returned within the inning and plated Grace Lyons with an RBI single to push the result in 6-1, swinging all of the momentum at Corridor of Fame Stadium in favor of the Sooners.

Run assist now in hand, Trautwein returned to dominate within the fourth inning. The senior pitcher compelled a pair of non-threatening pop-ups earlier than placing out Lauren Caldrone to retire the facet so as.

Oklahoma’s offense put the sport out of attain within the backside of the sixth.

Jayda Coleman drew a leadoff stroll, after which shortly was rerouted to second base by way of a Jocelyn Alo single. Jennings walked to load the bases for Lyons, and the primary workforce All-America shortstop delivered a two-run single to increase the result in 8-1.

OU pushed the sport into run rule territory when OU head coach Patty Gasso efficiently challenged an in depth pitch inside to Boone with the bases loaded. Evaluation confirmed the pitch did certainly graze Boone’s elbow pad, scoring Jennings from third base.

4 pitches later, Johns ensured the total seven innings wouldn’t be crucial.

Oklahoma’s third baseman smacked a pitch into the fitting area bleachers, extending the Sooner result in 13-1 with OU’s second grand slam of the sport. Thursday was simply the second time in WCWS historical past a workforce hit two grand slams in a sport, as Washington did it in opposition to Georgia in 2009.

Trautwein returned to file the primary two outs of the fifth inning, placing the cherry on high of her outing. OU’s right-hander solely allowed one hit in 4 2/3 innings of labor, placing out seven batters whereas issuing 5 walks.

True freshman Jordy Bahl entered the sport to file the ultimate out in what was her first look since Bedlam on Might 6.

Northwestern’s Maeve Nelson hit a single off Bahl to attain Grace Nieto, however Bahl then recorded the ultimate out to ship the 13-2 win.

Johns led Oklahoma with 5 RBIs on the day in a 2-for-3 hitting efficiency. Boone completed an ideal 2-for-2 on the plate, and Coleman scored a pair of runs whereas hitting 2-for-3 with one stroll on the afternoon.

Oklahoma will now get a time off till the winners bracket resumes play on Saturday.

Awaiting the Sooners are the Texas Longhorns (44-19-1), who handed OU one of many Sooners’ two defeats on the season.

A Purple River battle will get away at Corridor of Fame Stadium at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and the sport will likely be broadcast on ABC. 

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