Sooners host Florida State midweek

Call it a break for Oklahoma softball. That said, if you can really describe getting a top 10 team to give you a break in a non-conference situation, that’s what this is.

Florida State, ranked No. 5 last week, dropped two out of three at No. 3 Oklahoma State in Stillwater over the weekend. The Seminoles are yet to return home and agree to play the No. 1 Sooners in Norman on Tuesday night.

For OU head coaches Patty Gasso, a welcome relief. Instead of hunting down prime non-conference opponents and going into their backyard, a prime team comes to Norman.

You can thank spring break.

“It’s great. It’s been a long time since I’ve had this,” Gasso said last week. “It feels like we’re always the one who has to find it. Luckily, they play Oklahoma State and they reached out and said, it’s our spring break, can we play you on tuesday?

“It is a great joy for our fans to see this. It’s cool that it’s going to be a late night game, in the middle of the week. It will be fun. I really love their coaching staff. Lonni (Alameda) is a former OU player. Excited to have her back. She puts together a really good, hardworking team. They remind me of our own team, where they’re just rounded from all angles. Getting a top five matchup at home is something I haven’t had in a long time. I’m so happy it worked out.”

The Sooners and Seminoles have not met since their fight in the 2021 Women’s College World Series championship series, which was won by OU.

OU (20-1 overall) is rolling at the moment and did exactly what you’d expect from a top-ranked team in three games at Mississippi State over the weekend.

A fourth game scheduled for Sunday against Omaha was canceled due to expected inclement weather. Starkville’s loss turned into Norman’s gain as the Sooners quickly added a home game against South Dakota State on Monday night.

No. 1 OU 13, Southeast Louisiana 0 (5)

A perfect five-inning game Jordy Bahl highlighted this one. The sophomore hit eight and had great command throughout.

She only had a three-ball count once and threw just 53 pitches.

Haley Lee had a two-run home run as part of her four-RBI day. And Sophia Nugent continues to shine at her chances, hitting a three-run homer. OU had 10 extra base hits.

No. 1 OU 7, State of Mississippi 0

This ERA for Nicole May is still 0.00. Another outstanding performance from the junior. May gave up two hits and walked three with six strikeouts in the full seven-inning game.

It was a strong weekend for Alyssa Brito, who had a double and a double home run. Brito would also hit a home run against the Bulldogs on Saturday.

No. 1 OU 9, State of Mississippi 3

OU had a 9-0 lead when Bahl encountered some problems. She went four and gave up a few runs before Gasso called Alex Storak to clean things up.

Storako did so and went four innings scoreless for her sixth win of the season. That’s the beauty of the pitching staff. Anyone can be a starter. Anyone can be a helper. Storako struck six and didn’t take anyone for a walk.

At the platter, a quietly productive weekend for Jayda Coleman. She had a hit in every single game and walked twice in every competition, scoring five runs and driving in two more. Now she strikes. 500 for the season.