Updated Big 12 standings: Sooners only unbeaten team in Big 12 play after weekend’s upsets
The Big 12’s bottom three teams, Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State were able to take a game from the teams that are two through four in the standings: Oklahoma State, Texas and Baylor.
Though each of the favorites earned series wins, it was surprising to see Iowa State take a game from Oklahoma State in extra innings and Kansas beat Texas by six runs.
Oklahoma State’s extra-inning loss to Iowa State prevented the Cowgirls from keeping pace with the Sooners and holding a four-game lead on the Texas Longhorns. Instead, the loss set up an opportunity for the Longhorns to catch the Cowgirls this weekend in their three-game series in Austin.
With less than a month to go in the regular season, here’s a look at the Big 12 standings ahead of some big-time matchups in conference play.
Quick work in Oxford.#ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/sB5icnWrQ5
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 16, 2023
Record: 39-1
Big 12: 9-0
vs. top 25: 13-0
Streak: W31
Last week
The Oklahoma Sooners picked up another top 25 win, this time in a 3-0 shutout of LSU in Baton Rouge. They followed that up with a pair of run-rule wins over Louisville and Miami (Oh.) over the weekend to move their record to 39-1, matching their record through the first 40 games a year ago.
Up Next
Oklahoma travels to Waco for a three-game set against the only team to hand the Sooners a loss this season.
Oklahoma State Cowgirls
For the first time this weekend, the Cowgirls strike first.
Kiley Naomi scores Rachel Becker with an RBI base knock. Go. Pokes.
B1 | ISU 0 – OSU 1#AllOne | #GoPokes | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/m5F2hPlmtL
— OSU Cowgirl Softball (@cowgirlsb) April 16, 2023
Record: 39-4
Big 12: 8-1
vs. top 25: 10-2
Streak: L1
Last week
Oklahoma State dropped its series finale to last-place Iowa State in extra innings on Sunday, 3-2. They outscored the Cyclones by only three runs on the weekend.
Up Next
The Cowgirls have the difficult task of going to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns for what will be a top 10 matchup.
Texas Longhorns
Sunday afternoon walk-off 😎#HookEm pic.twitter.com/mzxedVyGDV
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) April 16, 2023
Record: 36-9-1
Big 12: 8-4
vs. top 25: 2-5-1
Streak: W2
Last Week
The Texas Longhorns went 3-1 last week with a win over Texas State and a series win over Kansas. They dropped the opener to the Jayhawks, 9-3, and had to scratch out a 3-2 win in the series finale.
Up Next
Texas has a chance to make a move up the standings or at least get closer to Oklahoma State as it hosts the Cowgirls for a three-game series starting Thursday evening.
SERIES DUB 👏
Dari gets the game-winning strikeout and BU takes the series! #SicEm 🐻🥎 pic.twitter.com/P0sDTB5NIH
— Baylor Softball (@BaylorSoftball) April 16, 2023
Record: 34-10
Big 12: 4-5
vs. top 25: 4-4
Streak: W2
Last week
The Bears bats came to life last week, winning three of four games and scoring 47 runs in the process. They took two of three from Texas Tech to remain in fourth place in the Big 12. Ace Doriana Orme was roughed up for 11 earned runs in nine innings pitched.
Up Next
Baylor is the lone team to beat the Sooners in 2023 and has a chance to further build its resume when it hosts the No. 1 team in the nation in Waco this weekend for a three-game series.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
And still counting 😏 pic.twitter.com/RtZKPPnosc
— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) April 17, 2023
Record: 29-17
Big 12: 3-9
vs. top 25: 2-9
Streak: L2
Last week
The Red Raiders offense exploded for eight earned runs on 12 hits against Baylor ace Doriana Orme for a 10-8 win in the opener against the Bears. Baylor gained the last laugh, winning the final two games to take the series.
It was a high-scoring affair, but Tech lost the run differential battle, 32-26.
Up Next
Texas Tech has a chance to get back on track this week, but it will not be easy. Kansas battled Texas in their three-game set and came up with a win.
CORRECTION:
First top-10 win on the road versus a conference opponent since 2002.
— Kansas Softball (@KUSoftball) April 15, 2023
Record: 20-19
Big 12: 2-7
vs. top 25: 2-10
Streak: L2
Last week
After getting swept by Oklahoma State, Kansas came out firing in their series opener against Texas, picking up the 9-3 win over the No. 8 team in the nation. They were shutout in run-rule fashion on Saturday and then fought to a 3-2 loss on Sunday, nearly picking up the unlikely series win.
Up Next
The Jayhawks will play at Missouri on Wednesday before hosting the Texas Tech Red Raiders for three games in Lawrence.
Ladies and Gentlemen, WE HAVE THE LEAD!!!! @milaysiacorrynn delivers a go-ahead single in the 11th inning to give us a one-run lead!!
Gotta Keep Going!!
🌪️🥎🌪️ pic.twitter.com/F99q1C5teY
— Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) April 16, 2023
Record: 14-25
Big 12: 2-10
vs. top 25: 1-7
Streak: W1
Last week
Iowa State split a Tuesday doubleheader with South Dakota State, but that wasn’t the highlight of their weekend.
The Cyclones went into Stillwater and played the Cowgirls incredibly tough all weekend, culminating in their 3-2 win in 11 innings on Sunday.
The Cyclones are still a work in progress, but getting a win like this can do wonders for a team’s confidence and its future. They were only outscored by three runs in the three-game set.
Up Next
They’ll play a Tuesday doubleheader against Southeast Missouri State before hosting Colorado State for a pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday during their Big 12 bye week.
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