NORMAN — OU softball took care of business in Game 1, shutting out Alabama 3-0 Friday at Love’s Field.
The Sooners are one win away from punching their ticket to their ninth consecutive Women’s College World Series. Starting pitcher Sam Landry (W, 23-4) struck out five and allowed four hits in seven complete innings.
Kasidi Pickering crushed a ball 246 feet to center field to give OU a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. In the fifth, freshman Sydney Barker smacked an RBI-single to right center field, scoring Abigale Dayton.
Here’s a recap of the Sooners’ Game 1 win:
Alea Johnson relieved Jocelyn Briski to start the bottom of the sixth.
Nelly McEnroe-Marinas struck out swinging, Cydney Sanders flew out to center field and Ailana Agbayani fouled out to Alabama catcher Marlie Giles.
Top 6: OU 3, Alabama 0 | Sam Landry works around leadoff double
Alexis Pupillo led off the sixth inning with a double.
From there, Landry struck out two Crimson Tide batters and forced a ground out to escape another inning without a run on the board
Landry has now struck out five in six innings while allowing four hits and two walks. Landry is sitting at 99 pitches.
Bottom 5: OU 3, Alabama 0 | Sydney Barker keeps delivering
After seeing limited playing time for most of this season, freshman Sydney Barker has come alive.
Batting in the third spot again, with Abigale Dayton in scoring position, Barker poked a single into right center field to score Dayton and give the Sooners a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth.
