5 takeaways from Oklahoma Sooners three game sweep of Iowa State
The Oklahoma Sooners opened Big 12 play with a roar, sweeping the Iowa State Cyclones in three games in Ames. The Sooners outscored Iowa State 26-3 and earned a pair of shutouts and a pair of run-rule victories along the way.
Now at 30-1 on the season and in the midst of a 22-game winning streak, the Sooners sit atop the Big 12 after opening weekend with a big-time matchup coming in Norman against the Texas Longhorns.
The Sooners were tested Friday in their 3-0 win against the Cyclones where they were held to three runs on seven hits. However, they got a gem of a game from Alex Storako to keep the Cyclones’ bats at bay.
Here are five takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners sweep of Iowa State.
Jordy Bahl Catching Fire
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
With five innings of one-hit ball against the Cyclones on Saturday, Jordy Bahl’s now thrown 16 straight innings of scoreless softball. Over that stretch, she has 23 strikeouts and just six hits and two walks allowed.
Yes, over her last 16 innings, Bahl’s allowed just six baserunners.
After another stellar performance, her ERA has dropped to 1.66 on the season with an opponent’s batting average of .176. She’s turning it up just in time for the Sooners’ Red River Showdown with the Texas Longhorns in Norman.
Alex Storako continues to bring the heat
Oklahoma starting pitcher Alex Storako (8) celebrates after ending an inning during a softball game between University of Oklahoma (OU) and Florida State at Marita Hynes Field in Norman, Okla., on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Friday’s affair with Iowa State was a tight ballgame, but Alex Storako was up to the challenge. She threw a complete game, seven-inning shutout to help the Sooners beat the Cyclones 3-0.
Like Bahl, she’s been on a roll lately. Storako’s on a 12 inning scoreless streak, but has only allowed one run in her last 19 innings of work.
She’s now 11-0 on the season with a 0.80 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 52.2 innings of work.
Grace Lyons' big weekend
June 9, 2022; Oklahoma City; Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (3) hits a three run home run during the sixth inning against the Texas Longhorns in game two of the 2022 Women’s College World Series finals at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Oklahoma won 10-5 to win the National Championship. Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Grace Lyons had a huge weekend for the Oklahoma Sooners to raise her batting average up over .400 for the first time in a month.
Lyons went 5-for-8 with two home runs, four RBIs, and four runs scored. After a 20-home run season a year ago, the power part of her game hadn’t really gotten going yet in 2023. But she’s starting to come on strong now.
She has four home runs in her last seven games. In that stretch, she’s raised her batting average .56 points, going 10-for-18 with four home runs and eight RBIs.
The Sooners now have six players hitting over .400 that have at least two plate appearances in 75% of the games played.
Home Runs Galore
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
In the Sooners’ 13-3 win over Iowa State in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, Oklahoma hit seven home runs. That gives them 57 on the season, and they have seven players with at least six home runs on the year.
Though they may not be hitting home runs at the same rate as they did a year ago, the Sooners are still among the best in the nation in home runs per game this season.
With Lyons finding her stroke and Tiare Jennings hitting three home runs in her last five games, the Sooners are getting hot with the long ball.
Jayda Coleman continues to do Jayda Coleman things
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
On a team full of great players, Jayda Coleman continues to amaze with what she’s doing at the plate. After another strong weekend, Coleman is still hitting .500 on the season and added another home run to stay tied for the team lead at eight with Alyssa Brito.
She’s one away from tying her career high in home runs and has been one of the best players in softball in 2023.
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