Following Oklahoma’s dominant run-rule win over Cleveland State, head coach Patty Gasso and her players expressed their satisfaction with the team’s performance. Gasso emphasized the importance of maintaining aggressive play, particularly on the base paths, which was evident in their offensive execution and smart base-running decisions. She highlighted the team’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities early in the game, which set the tone for their decisive victory [[❞]](https://news.yahoo.com/ou-softball-sooners-aggressive-early-224800855.html) [[❞]](https://stormininnorman.com/2023/05/08/patty-gasso-is-one-of-a-kind-and-ou-softball-has-been-the-benefactor/).
Players echoed Gasso’s sentiments, noting their collective effort and focus on improving every aspect of their game. They attributed their success to rigorous preparation and a strong team mentality. The players also praised their pitching staff for effectively limiting Cleveland State’s offensive chances, which was a crucial factor in securing the win.
NORMAN – The second-seeded Sooners started their Norman Regional with a commanding 9-0 run-rule victory over Cleveland State on Friday night.
The Sooners amassed 11 hits to score their nine runs, with multiple hits coming from Kasidi Pickering, Ella Parker, Tiare Jennings, and Rylie Boone. After the game, head coach Patty Gasso, along with players Pickering, Nicole May, and Jayda Coleman, addressed the media to discuss the team’s performance and their approach to the tournament.
The Sooners combined for 11 hits against Cleveland State on Friday night for their nine runs. Pickering, Ella Parker, Tiare Jennings and Rylie Boone all had multiple hits. OU head coach Patty Gasso, Kasidi Pickering, Nicole May and Jayda Coleman spoke to the media afterwards.
“I think we’re in a really good spot,” Coleman said of the offense. “I think we’re hitting the ball hard in play, making their defense really work. I think we’re also mixing in a lot of walks. I had two walks today.
Just trusting that Ella and Tiara and the people behind me, they’re going to get a ground ball through the 5-6 or up the middle to score us. But I think we’re doing really well. Torres put down the bunt. Ground ball’s up the middle. We got the home run. I think it’s starting to finally, we’re all connecting throughout the lineup. It’s really nice.”
Pickering hit two home runs, leading the Sooners to victory. She went 3-for-3 at the plate, with two RBIs and two runs scored. Describing the experience of rounding the bases after a home run in Regionals, Pickering said, “It’s indescribable. Seeing everyone excited as I come home makes it even better.”
Coleman added, “It’s inspiring. It kinda just gets me back to when I was a freshman, just so free and no expectations. I think we learn a lot from them. They just go up there and they swing the bat hard. I think sometimes for me personally, I start to overthink. I over gameplan. I over approach. They just kinda get me back to my foundation. It’s so exciting to watch their careers right now. They’re just doing so well.”
Nicole May threw 5.0 innings, struck out nine batters, and allowed just three hits in her start on Friday night.
“I think she’s getting better every outing, I really do,” Gasso said. “There’s a look on her face that is very determined and you can see it from the start. And it’s very rare that a pitcher throws a no-hitter in postseason. So three hits that didn’t hurt us doesn’t bother us one bit. And I think she ended up with 10 strikeouts (editor’s note, it was only nine) but better than that are no walks. So you have a performance like that, you keep us working as an offense to help. So I thought she was absolutely outstanding. And Keeney came in and working on some things in the bullpen she showed out as well.
