OKLAHOMA CITY — Demonstrating their dominance on the softball field, Cydney Sanders smashed two home runs to propel Oklahoma to a 4-1 victory over Oregon on Sunday night. This win secured Oklahoma’s place in the Women’s College World Series semifinals while simultaneously eliminating the Ducks from the competition.
Sanders ignited the scoreboard with a two-run homer in the third inning, boosting the Sooners to a 3-1 lead. Her solo homer in the fifth inning solidified their triumph at 4-1. Adding to the offense, Isabela Emerling launched a solo home run, while Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering each collected two hits, reflecting the consistent offensive strength of the Sooners, who now hold a record of 52-8.
Oregon’s lone run came from Dezianna Patmon’s home run. Despite the loss, Oregon concluded a remarkable season with a 54-10 record, crowned as the Big Ten regular-season champions during their inaugural year in the league.
The matchup was also significant on a strategic level, as it marked a personal showdown between Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso and her former assistant, Oregon coach Melyssa Lombardi. This game saw collaboration come full circle with Oregon’s assistants Sam Marder and Sydney Romero also boasting ties to Oklahoma.
Reflecting on the victory, Gasso expressed mixed emotions. “This is a huge win for the Sooners, but personally, it’s bittersweet,” she commented. “Facing off against people who have been part of your journey is difficult, especially on such a significant platform where someone’s season comes to an end.”
Advancing to the semifinals, Oklahoma is set to face Texas Tech. To proceed to the championship series, they will need to triumph over the Red Raiders and their ace, NiJaree Canady, twice in the double-elimination format. On the flip side, Texas Tech, vying for their first national title appearance, requires only one win.
Canady, awarded the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Pitcher of the Year for the past two seasons, has steered Texas Tech to new heights. Her prowess was instrumental in leading the team to both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, paving the way for their first World Series appearance.
“We’re going to have to make some adjustments for sure,” Gasso stated, “but we’re in fight mode. We won’t surrender easily, and that’s how we’re approaching this.”
In Sunday’s game, Sam Landry shone brightly, delivering 4 1/3 innings of shutdown relief pitching for Oklahoma. She allowed merely two hits, added six strikeouts, and walked one, stepping up seamlessly in place of starter Kierston Deal.
Paige Sinicki from Oregon complimented Landry’s performance, acknowledging the challenge of adjusting to her pitching style. “Her ability to change speeds was key,” Sinicki remarked. “She mixed things up extensively, which kept us guessing.”
Landry, having transferred from Louisiana to Oklahoma this season, will face a unique challenge as several of her former teammates, who followed coach Gerry Glasco to Texas Tech, await in the semifinals. Reflecting on her journey, Landry noted, “I’m a completely different pitcher and person now. Facing Tech is just like any other game. We scout, find gaps, and play without putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves.”