5 takeaways from Oklahoma’s 5-0 weekend in the Hall of Fame Classic
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The Oklahoma Sooners extended their winning streak to 19 with a 5-0 record in the Omni Hall of Fame Classic in Oklahoma City over the weekend. With wins over Northwestern and Auburn, Oklahoma picked up three more ranked wins on the season.
The Sooners outscored their opponents 48-3 in the sweep and recorded a pair of shutout wins and three run-rule victories.
Several players contributed to the Sooners’ performance. Oklahoma is rolling heading into their first conference series of the season in a road trip to face Iowa State in Ames.
Here are five takeaways from Oklahoma’s weekend.
Jayda Coleman is Fire
Oklahoma’s Jayda Coleman (24) watches after hitting a home run in the first inning of a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 18, 2023. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
This weekend in Oklahoma City, Jayda Coleman went 9-for-15 with two home runs, two doubles, a triple, and nine RBIs. She now leads the team in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, stole bases, and walks. She’s also tied for the team lead in home runs.
She’s having a fantastic season for the Sooners out of the lead-off spot and is proving to be one of the best players in college softball.
Jordy Bahl's Back
Oklahoma’s Jordy Bahl (98) celebrates after an out during a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 18, 2023. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
After giving up two runs in two innings to Mississippi State last weekend in the Bulldog Invitational, Jordy Bahl roared back in a huge way. She’s thrown 11 scoreless innings, including an incredible three innings of one-hit ball to help the Sooners beat Florida State earlier in the week.
Getting the start against Auburn on Saturday night, Bahl thrived in the cold, striking out nine Tigers in the five-inning complete-game shutout. She threw another two innings of shutout ball on Sunday in the second win over Auburn and allowed just one baserunner in the appearance.
Bahl’s ERA is now down to 1.81, below two for the first time since Oklahoma’s loss to Baylor back on February 19.
Oklahoma's Pitching the Difference
Oklahoma’s Alex Storako (8) pitches during a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Weber State Wildcats at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 18, 2023. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Though we mentioned Jordy Bahl, we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about Nicole May and Alex Storako as well.
Though Nicole May allowed a run against Northwestern, snapping her scoreless innings streak, she was absolutely dominant otherwise. She didn’t allow the home run until the seventh inning of what was an incredible three-hit performance where she allowed just four baserunners in a seven-inning complete game.
Not to be outdone, Alex Storako pitched a gem on Sunday against Auburn. She threw five innings of one-run ball, allowing two hits and one walk. She struck out 11 batters in a dominating performance.
With Bahl, May, and Storako, the Sooners have three of the very best pitchers in all of college softball.
Tiare Jennings Heating Up
Oklahoma’s Tiare Jennings (23) celebrates after hitting a home run in the first inning of a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 18, 2023. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Tiare Jennings went 6 for 11 over the weekend with two home runs and seven RBIs. In the process, she raised her batting average to .453, which is second on the team.
She’s now up to 27 RBIs on the season, just one behind Alyssa Brito. Jennings led the Sooners in RBIs each of the last two seasons and looks to be trending in that direction again.
Kinzie Hansen had a big weekend
Oklahoma’s Kinzie Hansen (9) celebrates after hitting a home run in the first inning of a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 18, 2023. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
After missing the first couple of weeks of the season, Kinzie Hansen has been awesome. Over the weekend in Oklahoma City, Hansen went 8-for-12 with two home runs, a double, and seven RBIs.
She’s now hitting .380 for the Sooners and has hit six home runs and drove in 27 RBIs. She’s only played in 18 of the Sooners’ 28 games this season and is tied for second on the team in runs batted in.
Her work behind the plate can’t be understated either. Hansen’s veteran presence has helped Oklahoma to a team ERA just over 1.00.
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