Oklahoma
Why are sirens going off in Oklahoma City today? Tornado tests may occur before WCWS games Saturday
When fans start to arrive for UCLA and Oklahoma softball’s winner’s bracket Women’s College World Series game on Saturday, they might hear an alarming noise.
Patrons traveling from other areas might not be familiar with the echoing tornado sirens that go off each Saturday in Oklahoma City. But there’s no reason to fret, at least for a certain part of the day.
REQUIRED READING: Mussatto: Get ready for another OU-UCLA clash, the marquee matchup in college softball
Oklahoma City tests its tornado sirens every Saturday at 12 p.m., unless there’s already inclement weather to be expected. The noise can be quite jarring, especially if there’s clear skies and sun.
Here’s everything to know about Oklahoma City’s tornado sirens, which will likely be heard by many on their way to Devon Park on Saturday:
Why are sirens going off in Oklahoma City today?
Oklahoma City tests its tornado sirens nearly every Saturday at 12 p.m., unless there’s incoming inclement weather, according to the city’s website.
The reasoning is simple: Oklahoma is subject to some of the most dangerous and often tornadoes in the United States, making it important for sirens to work effectively in the event of severe weather.
Oklahoma City has 182 tornado sirens in its area, all of which will echo together for a few minutes during each Saturday’s testing run.
REQUIRED READING: OU softball star Jayda Coleman’s ‘game-changing’ heroics continue in WCWS vs Duke
What time are tornado sirens in Oklahoma City?
The tornado siren tests are always at 12 p.m. on Saturdays in Oklahoma City.
There are no softball games scheduled for noon on Saturday, but patrons in Oklahoma City’s vicinity will likely hear the sirens on their way to Devon Park for the WCWS.
Women’s College World Series weather
Unfortunately for many, weather does not stop even though college softball’s top destination is underway.
Each year, it’s typical for numerous weather delays to halt play at the Women’s College World Series, and 2024 has been no exception.
Play was delayed on the opening day of the tournament Thursday, as Alabama and UCLA’s game started around half-an-hour late due to lightning being in the area.
On Saturday and Sunday, however, things might be looking up in terms of weather, as there’s a 20% chance for thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.
WCWS schedule Saturday
Here’s the WCWS schedule for Saturday in Oklahoma City:
- No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 6 UCLA | 2 p.m. CT | ABC
- No. 4 Florida vs. No. 1 Texas | 6 p.m. CT | ESPN
NORMAN — Oklahoma softball’s transfer portal activity may have been fairly slow developing.
But now, as the portal window nears its end, the Sooners have started having success.
Oklahoma added outfielder Adi Hansen, a standout at the College of Southern Idaho for the last two seasons on Thursday.
Hansen’s announcement, made on Instagram, followed shortly after Middle Tennessee outfielder Macie Harter announced her commitment to the Sooners.
Hansen led the Golden Eagles with a .457 batting average in 186 at bats in 2026, with an eye-popping 82 runs scored and a school-record 62 stolen bases on 67 attempts.
Hansen had 17 games with two or more stolen bases this season and twice had four stolen bases in a game.
Hansen had four triples and 21 RBIs, drawing 23 walks.
She earned NJCAA first-team All-America honors, helping her team finish 43-13 with a NJCAA Division I Juco World Series appearance.
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In 2025, as a freshman, Hansen hit .401 with 36 stolen bases and 62 ruyns scored.
Hansen is a Logan, Utah, product.
Hansen and Harter join a group of outfielders that includes Kai Minor in centerfield and Ella Parker in right field.
The Sooners lost Abby Dayton to graduation and Kasidi Pickering to transfer after the season. Pickering will reportedly transfer to Texas Tech.
Oklahoma finished 52-10 last season, missing the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2015 after falling to Mississippi State in three games in the Norman Super Regional.
The Sooners have a strong incoming recruiting class and return a trio of pitchers — Audrey Lowry, Miali Guachino and Allyssa Parker — as well as experienced hitters Kendall Wells, Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas plus Minor and Ella Parker.
In addition to the departures of Dayton and Pickering, the Sooners also lost pitchers Sydney Berzon and Kierston Deal, first baseman Isabela Emerling, and second baseman Ailana Agbayani to graduation. Outfielder Tia Milloy, pitcher Berkley Zache and utility player Riley Zache also entered the transfer portal.
Oklahoma’s incoming class includes Edmond Santa Fe pitcher Keegan Baker, Lakewood, Calif., infielder Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Mililani, Hawaii, infielder Ori Mailo, Fullerton, Calif., pitcher Malaya Majam-Finch, Katy, Texas, pitcher EK Smith, and Mesa, Ariz., outfilder Payton Westra.
Mailo was with the Sooners this season, redshirting after joining the program a year early.
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma City police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one man injured in northeast Oklahoma City.
Around 3 a.m. on Thursday, emergency crews were called to a reported shooting near Kelley and Wilshire Blvd.
Investigators say the shooting occurred between a couple inside the home, adding that the woman shot the man.
However, police say they are trying to determine if the shooting was accidental.
The victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
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The woman has been taken into custody for questioning, but it is unknown if she will face charges just yet.
Oklahoma is just three outs away from steamrolling through the right side of the bracket and knocking out Georgia to reach the championship finals.
To prepare, let’s take a look at what arms we should expect for the Sooners just like we did for the North Carolina earlier.
The Sooners have leaned heavily on their freshmen pitching trio in Cord Rager, Xander Mercurius and Nick Wesloski throughout Omaha. The first two went at least seven innings, while Wesloski tossed 5.2 innings on Wednesday. Even though they used relievers LJ Mercurius and Jackson Cleveland in the first two games, neither pitched more than two innings nor allowed a run.
If LJ, who entered for Wesloski on Wednesday, finishes the game, he will have gone 3.1 innings.
That sets up Oklahoma very well to matchup with UNC, which went 3-0 and also hasn’t used many arms up to this point.
If OU does win, expect Rager, Xander Mercurius and Cleveland to be ready to go. Rager, who hasn’t pitched since their first round game against Alabama on Saturday, June 13, would have a full week of rest.
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