OU Softball: Early Offense Powers Oklahoma Past Mississippi State (2025)

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma got back in the win column on Friday.

The Sooners’ bats got going early, plating four runs in the first two innings, to give starter Sam Landry plenty of run support.

Oklahoma’s right-handed ace stifled Mississippi State to post a 4-0 win at Devon Park.

With the win, OU improved to 37-5 on the year and 11-5 in SEC action, while the Bulldogs fell to 33-12 overall and 9-7 in league play.

"I think it really kind of started in the circle with Sam Landry. I thought she was very effective, very efficient," OU coach Patty Gasso said after the win. "Threw I think 85 pitches which really helps us going into Sunday now. So it started really in the circle."

Oklahoma’s offense wasted no time, rewarding Landry immediately with run support.

Kasidi Pickering led things off with a double, then two batters later Ella Parker gave OU the lead with a two-RBI double that she bounced just to the right of third and down into the left field corner.

The Sooners added more in the second.

Abigale Dayton outran Mississippi State shortstop Kylee Edwards’ throw over to first to give OU another leadoff runner.

Isabela Emerling’s flew out to the warning track in left field, narrowly missing a towering home run to double the lead as Mississippi State starter Raelin Chaffin flirted with disaster.

In the next at-bat, Hannah Coor straightened out the ball that was also hit to left field, giving her the extra distance for the two-run shot to put OU up 4-0.

"It was a hit-and-run. So if it was a strike, I was going to get it," Coor said. So I just swung my 100% swing and I got it... Just doing it for my teammates and beingable to run home to them was pretty cool."

After frustrating starts to all three of last weekend's games against Alabama, Dayton said the offense did a nice job of jumping on the Bulldogs early without pressing in front of the large crowd at Devon Park.

"I think it's just understanding the game plan," Dayton said. "We know how to hit the ball and we know how to have energy. So just being able to mix the two, that's something that our team brings, energy. We'll have it all the time, whether we're up or down. So being able to be in the box and be still and be able to be still and be able to be patient throughout the game, that's what helped us today."

Mississippi State’s best chance came in the fourth.

Nadia Barbary led the frame off with a double.

Freshman second baseman Morgan Stiles looked briefly as if she would plate Barbary with a one-out single to center, but Coor’s throw to home caused Barbary to stay put at third.

Landry then induced a pair of innocuous groundouts to get out of the inning and keep the Bulldogs off the board.

The righty pitched all seven innings, striking out six Bulldog batters while allowing just three hits and two walks.

Batting in the 7-hole, Dayton finished the afternoon 3-for-3 at the plate, and Parker and pickering both finished 1-for-2 with a walk apiece.

Still, OU was unable to add to the lead after the hot start, but Gasso believes her team is close to finding another gear.

"Ultimately it’s a win and that’s all we care about right now. It feels good to be on that side," Gasso said. "I will tell you this, this team is going to start clicking at a different cylinder and you’re going to know it. You won’t even have to ask me. You’re gonna see it. I know it’s coming, we’re just working through that right now. And it’s coming. I know it will happen before we finish the end of this season.

"So that’s where we’re at right now. Wins are great but if we can start clicking in that way, we’re going to be pretty unstoppable."

The Sooners and the Bulldogs will now wait out weather on Saturday before returning to action with in a Sunday double header.

The first game of the day at Love’s Field is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.