OU softball beats Tarleton State as Kelly Maxwell pitches Sooners' first no-hitter of 2024
NORMAN — Kelly Maxwell pitched the OU softball team’s first no-hitter of the season as the Sooners opened their Tuesday night doubleheader at Love’s Field with an 8-0 five-inning run-rule victory over Tarleton State.
Maxwell, the left-handed pitcher who transferred from Oklahoma State, kept the top-ranked Sooners (23-1) in control even when their bats were quiet. She was sharp and efficient, throwing seven strikeouts with a 73.8 strike percentage. Through five innings, Maxwell (7-0) delivered 61 pitches, and 45 were strikes.
Jayda Coleman ignited OU’s offense with a leadoff home run in the first inning. Kasidi Pickering capitalized on a wild pitch and a throwing error to score, and Alyssa Brito then crossed home plate on Cydney Sanders’ sacrifice fly to take a 3-0 lead.
For the next three innings, the Sooners didn’t score against the Texans (12-14).
In the bottom of the fifth, Sanders ended the offensive drought, lofting a three-RBI home run over the right-field wall. The junior first baseman extended her hitting streak to seven games, and she has hit five home runs in the Sooners’ past four games.
With Sanders’ spark, OU’s bats stayed active. Ella Parker’s double to left-center field scored Maya Bland, who had stolen second base. Parker went 2 for 2 at the plate, while Sanders hit 1 for 2 with a game-high four RBI.
Parker then crossed home plate on Alynah Torres’ RBI single, ending the game in the bottom of the fifth. Alexa Rehmeier (3-3) tallied the loss in the circle.
Tiare Jennings ascended the Sooners’ record books. With her third-inning double, the senior shortstop reached 56 career doubles, tied for second all-time in OU’s program. She needs only two more to tie Sydney Romero, OU’s all-time leader.
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OU softball live score updates vs. Tarleton State
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OU softball highlights vs. Tarleton State
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FINAL: Oklahoma 8, Tarleton State 0 (5)
Cydney Sanders lofts a 3-RBI home run to right field. #Sooners 6, Tarleton St. 0 in B5
After stealing second, Maya Bland scores on Ella Parker’s double. #Sooners 7, Texans 0 in B5
Alynah Torres’ RBI single ends the game. #Sooners run-rule Tarleton State, 8-0, in five innings. Kelly Maxwell throws OU’s first no-hitter of the season.
—Hallie Hart, Staff writer
Tiare Jennings moves up in OU softball record book
Tiare Jennings now has 56 career doubles, tying her for second in the all-time Sooners softball record books. She needs only two more to tie Sydney Romero for first.
—Hallie Hart, Staff writer
Middle 4th: Sooners 3, Texans 0
Through four innings, Kelly Maxwell has thrown six strikeouts and allowed no hits or runs. Sooners lead 3-0 heading into B4.
—Hallie Hart, Staff writer
Bottom 1st: Oklahoma 3, Tarleton State 0
In the bottom of the first, Jayda Coleman leads off with a home run over the left-center field wall. Sooners 1, Tarleton State 0.
Kasidi Pickering scores on an error. Then Cydney Sanders’ sacrifice fly sends Alyssa Brito across home plate. Sooners 3, Texans 0.
—Hallie Hart, Staff writer
What time does OU softball vs. Tarleton State start?
Date: Tuesday, March 12
Time: 4:30 p.m. CT
Where: Love's Field in Norman
More: OU softball run-rules Iowa State as Sooners wrap up weekend sweep of Cyclones
What channel is OU softball vs. Tarleton State on today?
Streaming: ESPN+
How to watch online: Watch ESPN (here's how to stream it live)
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball beats Tarleton State as Kelly Maxwell pitches no-hitter
