OU Softball Run Rules BYU 13-2, Advances To Big 12 Championship Final

A 13-run outburst powered No. 4/4 Oklahoma Softball to a 13-2 run-rule win over BYU in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship semifinal on Friday evening in Oklahoma City, earning the Sooners a berth in the championship final on Saturday.

Tickets to Saturday's title game, set for 6:30 p.m. CT at OGE Energy Field at Devon Park, can be purchased HERE.

The Sooners (48-6) collected 13 hits on the evening, drew five walks and struck out just one time as a team in support of an excellent start by sophomore left-handed pitcher Kierston Deal. OU's southpaw stymied the Cougars (31-23), carrying a no-hitter through 4.2 innings and finishing one out shy of the feat. She earned her 12th win of the season by way of 5.0 frames of two-hit ball, allowing two runs while striking out four and walking a pair.

Freshman designated player Ella Parker (3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) fell a triple shy of the cycle as she and senior third baseman Alyssa Brito (3-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI) each provided three-hit games. Kinzie Hansen (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI) and Kasidi Pickering (2-for-2, 3 RBI) added multi-hit efforts.

Just as it did in Thursday's quarterfinal win over Kansas, OU's lineup began the game red-hot with a crooked number in the first frame. Parker launched a one-out solo shot out to right field, opening the scoring with her 11th home run and 50th RBI of the season. Tiare Jennings (0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R) and Brito followed with a single and a walk then Hansen advanced both with a groundout. Pickering laced a two-run single through the left side to cap the three-run Sooner first.

Three straight one-out singles in the third helped Oklahoma plate two more runs, taking a 5-0 lead through three. Brito singled and reached second on an error before scoring on a Hansen RBI single. The Sooner catcher stole second then crossed home on a Pickering base hit ripped through the right side, providing the latter with her third RBI of the game.

OU put the game firmly out of reach with a seven-run fourth that saw each of its first seven batters reach base safely. The Sooners collected six hits, five of which were singles, and drew two walks in the frame with Parker, Brito, Hansen and Hannah Coor (1-for-1, R, RBI) each providing RBI knocks.

The Sooners will play in their 14th Big 12 tournament final on Saturday evening. OU has advanced to the title game in each of the last seven completed tournaments and has won eight postseason championships overall.

UP NEXT

OU meets the winner of No. 1/1 Texas and Baylor in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship final on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 with radio coverage on 1560 AM/103.3 FM The Franchise 2 and 107.7 FM The Franchise.