How to watch, key players for No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge
The No. 1 softball team in the country is set to make its season debut. The Oklahoma Sooners start the season with a doubleheader in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge against Utah Valley and the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils. They then wrap it up with games on Friday and Saturday against Washington and Long Beach State.
This is a tournament Oklahoma is familiar with. It marks its third appearance south of the border. It last participated in the 2020 event, going 4-0 and outscoring opponents, 27-9. The Sooners competed in the 2017 tournament and went 2-2.
The Sooners ride a NCAA record 53-game winning streak into Mexico. But they’ll have their work cut out for them: They face two top-10 teams in their first three games.
The Sooners are also looking to make history and become the first softball team to win four straight national championships. So, let’s take a look at Oklahoma’s opponents and how you can watch their opening-week games.
How to Watch:
Date: Feb. 8, 9 and 10, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the Feb. 8. 8:30 p.m. on the Feb. 9 and 1 p.m. on Feb. 10.
TV: FloSoftball
Listen: Streaming on the Varsity App
Oklahoma Key Players:
Jayda Coleman, OF: .408 batting average, 17 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Tiare Jennings, SS: .415 batting average, 17 home runs and 66 RBIs.
Alyssa Brito, 3B: .412 batting average, 17 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Nicole May, P: 18-0, 0.91 ERA, 130 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched, 0.161 opponents batting average.
Kelly Maxwell, P: 16-7, 1.91 ERA, 229 strikeouts in 142.2 innings pitched, 157 opponents batting average.
*stats reflect 2023 season
Utah Valley Key Players:
Megan Gibbs, INF: .306 batting average, 11 home runs and 39 RBIs.
Britney Moreno, UTIL: .298 batting average, 39 hits and 12 RBIs.
Angelique Mann, OF: .285 batting average, 41 hits and 13 RBIs.
*stats reflect 2023 season
Duke Key Players:
D’Auna Jennings, OF: .462 batting average, 80 hits and 16 RBIs.
Aminah Vega, INF: .371 batting average, 12 home runs and 50 RBIs.
Gisele Tapia, INF: .362 batting average, four home runs and 50 RBIs.
*stats reflect 2023 season
Washington Key Players:
Rylee Holtorf, INF: .277 batting average, five home runs and 22 RBIs.
Kinsey Fiedler, INF: .277 batting average, five home runs and 18 RBIs.
Ruby Meylan, P: 18-7, 2.14 ERA and 204 strikeouts.
*stats reflect 2023 season
Long Beach State Key Players:
Sara Olson, OF: .329 batting average, 52 hits and 17 RBIs.
Jacquelyn Bickar, INF: .307 batting average, 43 hits and 18 RBIs.
Eryka Gonzales, P: 6-3, 2.50 ERA and 34 strikeouts.
*stats reflect 2023 season
Next 5 Games:
Feb. 16 vs. Central Arkansas
Feb. 16 vs. McNeese State
Feb. 17 vs. Lamar
Feb. 17 vs. McNeese State
Feb. 18 vs. Central Arkansas
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