For the second straight day, senior Giselle Juarez pitched Oklahoma softball to a complete-game victory and a 5-1, and this one resulted in a national championship win over Florida State. The Sooners (56-4) overcame a Game 1 loss to the Seminoles in the championship series, riding the veteran arm of Juarez, who pitched 14.0 innings […]
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso did not mince words when asked about the need for instant replay following OU’s 6-2 victory over Florida State.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Of all the terrific people who’ve done a lot of great work in their lives, championed the underdog, fought uphill battles for the right reasons, ushered progress, Erin Brockovich is one of them.
Left-handed ace pitcher Giselle ‘G’ Juarez received the start in the circle for the Sooners on Thursday. In the final game of her prolific collegiate career, the redshirt senior struck out seven ‘Noles while giving up just two hits on 112 total pitches.
With one out in the bottom of the first inning, USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Jocelyn Alo got the party started with a solo shot to left to give Oklahoma an early 1-0 lead.
No. 3️⃣4️⃣ on the year and the #Sooners strike first!
With two outs in the top of the third, Moore, Oklahoma native Sydney Sherril tacked a run on the board for Florida State after an infield pop-fly was lost in the sun and allowed a Seminole runner to come home. OU would hold onto a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the third, NFCA Freshman of the Year Tiare Jennings got things started with a single up the middle. Following an FSU pitching change, Alo returned to the plate after crushing a home run earlier in the game and grounded out to third base to allow Jennings to move to second. Next, sophomore Kinzie Hansen was walked by the new pitcher to put two on with one out for the Sooners. Senior Nicole Mendes then grounded out to second, effectively pushing both her teammates into scoring position. Sophomore Mackenzie Donihoo was later walked in her at-bat to load the bases for Coleman.
Still in the third, a wild-pitch pushed across Jennings for an Oklahoma run. With two outs and Coleman still in the box, the star freshman doubled to the left wall to send two more Sooners home. The lead would stand at 5-1 going into the fourth.
Juarez was simply in her bag on Thursday. She led the charge from her command center in the circle to stifle Florida State’s batters. At the end of the day, her pitching sealed the deal and made this title win official for OU.
Earlier this season, when it became apparent that Oklahoma was on track to break numerous Division I records, the only thing that could have possibly kept this squad from making a true case for being the greatest team of all-time was the possibility of not winning a national title. One thing is now for certain — over the last four months, this group of Sooners displayed the greatest show of offense the game has ever seen, and by adding a WCWS Championship to their historic campaign, they’ll forever be in the discussion as being the greatest team to ever play the sport at this level.
