No. 1 Oklahoma hosts Omni Hall of Fame Classic: Preview, Key Players, How to Watch
The Oklahoma Sooners will play host to two top 25 teams in the Omni Hall of Fame Classic this weekend in Oklahoma City. The Sooners will play Northwestern and have a pair of games against future SEC foe Auburn.
Oklahoma has won 14 in a row since their loss to the Baylor Bears and are coming off of a big win over Florida State on Tuesday. The Sooners have faced tough competition throughout the season and will do so this weekend in OKC.
Here’s a look at how to watch the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners and a preview of the teams they’ll face in the Hall of Fame Classic.
How To Watch
Oklahoma’s games will be streamed on ESPN+, and other matchups from the weekend can be viewed on USASoftball.com.
Weber State (6-15)
Weber State’s Makayla Donahoo attempts to bunt during an NCAA softball game against Lehigh on Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Seattle. Lehigh won 5-4. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Date: March 17. 2023
Time: 4:00 p.m. CT
Weber State is the three-time defending regular season Big Sky champion and won the Big Sky conference tournament in 2022. Their most noteworthy win this season is over unranked Oregon State, but played Arizona State and Nebraska to one-run losses. They’ve been shutout six times and defeated by run rule just three times this season.
Player to Watch
Lauren Hoe is the batter to watch for Weber State. While she’s hitting just .278 on the season, she has power and gets on base. Her OBP for 2023 is .400 and she’s hit five home runs and recorded 18 RBIs.
No. 24 Northwestern (9-7)
Northwestern’s Skyler Shellmyer (8) runs to first base during their game at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic softball tournament in Cathedral City, Calif., Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
Date: March 17. 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern’s had an up-and-down season in 2023, but has notable wins over Texas, Notre Dame, and Kentucky, and lost a close one to UCLA. They’ve only been shutout once and lost by run-rule once in 2023. Recently, they had a 3-1 weekend in the Cardinal Classic in Louisville, picking up a pair of wins over the host Cardinals and Northern Kentucky.
Player to Watch
Catcher Jordan Rudd leads the way with a .333 batting average with three home runs and 15 RBIs. She’s recorded a .622 slugging percentage and a .474 on base percentage across 45 at bats in 2023.
Weber State (6-15)
Weber State’s Katelyn Whiting waits for a pitch during an at-bat in an NCAA softball game against Lehighon Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Seattle. Lehigh won 5-4. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Date: March 18. 2023
Time: 4:00 p.m. CT
Player to Watch
In addition to Lauren Hoe, McKell McCuistion is a player to watch. McCuistion is hitting .397 on the season with six doubles and nine RBIs. She’s recorded an on-base percentage of .465 and scored eight runs in 63 at bats.
No. 19/22 Auburn Tigers (21-5)
Auburn’s Maddie Penta (9) throws a pitch during a Lady Vols softball game against Auburn on Senior Day, at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Saturday, May 7, 2022. © Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Date: March 18. 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
The Auburn Tigers have made the NCAA tournament eight straight seasons and are off to a strong start in 2023. In their most notable matchup of the season, the Tigers dropped 2 of 3 to the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. They’ve recorded 12 shutouts on the season.
Player to Watch
Maddie Penta is the ace of the Tigers’ pitching staff. She’s 11-1 on the season with seven shutouts. She’s allowed just six earned runs in 75.1 innings pitched and boasts a 0.51 ERA and an opponent batting average of .145. Penta has 117 strikeouts on the season and has allowed just nine extra-base hits in 2023.
No. 19/22 Auburn Tigers
Auburn’s Bri Ellis is the SEC softball player of the week after a big week of hitting
Ellis had a .714 batting average with 10 hits, four home runs, seven runs scored and 11 RBIs in a week that included winning the Plainsman Invite. pic.twitter.com/pWbS3XRQSP
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) February 27, 2023
Date: March 19. 2023
Time: 2:00 p.m. CT
Player to Watch
Bri Ellis is leading the way for the Tigers at the plate. She’s hitting .400 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs on the season. Ellis has a slugging percentage of .862 and an on-base percentage of .475.
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