Sooner or Later: OU Takes Down Florida in Nine-Inning Classic

In a thrilling extra-inning battle, the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners softball team edged out the No. 8 Florida Gators 6–5 in nine innings on Thursday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville. This victory brings the Sooners within one win of clinching the SEC regular-season title in their inaugural year in the conference.
Oklahoma Sooners softball team (Credit: New York Times)

Dayton Delivers in the Ninth

Junior outfielder Abby Dayton was instrumental in the Sooners’ win, delivering a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth inning. This marked her second RBI of the game, with her first coming from a 13-pitch at-bat, resulting in a double in the second inning. Dayton’s clutch performance provided the decisive run in a game that saw multiple lead changes. 

Dayton’s two RBIs, including the game-winner, underscore her critical role in the Sooners’ victory.

Sam Landry’s Complete Game Effort

Senior pitcher Sam Landry showcased her resilience by pitching all nine innings, throwing a season-high 144 pitches. Despite allowing five runs on nine hits and issuing five walks, Landry struck out six batters and improved her season record to 18–3.  Her ability to navigate Florida’s lineup, especially in high-pressure situations, was pivotal in securing the win. 

Offensive Contributions

The Sooners’ offense was bolstered by home runs from sophomores Kasidi Pickering and Ella Parker. Parker led the team with a 3-for-5 performance, while Pickering, Dayton, Ailana Agbayani, and Hannah Coor each contributed two hits. Freshman Tia Milloy also added an RBI single in the sixth inning, helping Oklahoma amass a total of 15 hits in the game. 

Gators’ Response Falls Short

Florida’s Mia Williams tied the game at 5–5 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning. Despite the Gators’ efforts, including multi-hit games from Williams, Taylor Shumaker, and Reagan Walsh, they were unable to capitalize in extra innings, leaving runners stranded in the final frame. 

Looking Ahead

With this win, Oklahoma improves to 43–5 overall and 17–5 in SEC play. The Sooners will aim to clinch the series and the SEC regular-season title in the next game against Florida. A victory would mark a significant milestone in their first season in the conference.

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