Sam Landry Shines in Extra-Inning Epic as Oklahoma Softball Outduels Florida in Game 1
In a battle befitting two of the nation’s most storied softball programs, Oklahoma and Florida staged an instant classic to open their highly anticipated series. But on a night where every pitch, every swing, and every defensive play mattered, it was Sam Landry who stole the spotlight. The junior right-hander, known for her poise and command, delivered one of the most memorable performances of her career, pitching a complete game gem to lead the Sooners to a thrilling extra-inning victory over the Gators in Game 1.
Landry, who transferred into the Oklahoma program with high expectations, cemented herself further in Sooner lore with a 10-inning masterpiece that silenced the powerful Florida lineup. She allowed just one earned run and scattered five hits while striking out nine and walking only one, consistently mixing her pitches and getting big outs when the Sooners needed them most. In a game that teetered on a knife’s edge for much of the night, her composure was the difference.
The matchup started off as a tightly contested pitcher’s duel between Landry and Florida ace Keagan Rothrock. Both teams came into the series ranked in the top ten nationally, with eyes not just on the SEC standings but the national picture as well. Florida struck first in the top of the third inning with a solo home run from catcher Jocelyn Erickson, a former Sooner who had plenty of motivation facing her old team. Erickson’s drive just cleared the left field wall, momentarily quieting the raucous crowd in Norman.
But Oklahoma responded in the fifth inning, showing the resilience that has defined the program’s dynastic run over the past decade. Jayda Coleman, the heartbeat of the Sooner lineup, worked a walk to start the frame. After a sacrifice bunt and a groundout moved her to third, Tiare Jennings delivered the clutch hit — a sharply hit single through the right side that tied the game 1-1. Jennings pumped her fist at first base as the dugout erupted, and the energy inside Love’s Field shifted.
From there, it became a battle of wills. Landry and Rothrock exchanged zeros through the seventh inning, with both teams flashing defensive brilliance to keep runs off the board. Oklahoma third baseman Alynah Torres made a diving stop in the sixth to rob a double, and Florida left fielder Kendra Falby threw out a runner at the plate in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extras.
In the eighth and ninth, both teams had opportunities, but Landry remained a constant. Her ability to get ahead in the count and then work the corners with her riseball and off-speed pitches had the Gators guessing. She struck out the side in the top of the ninth, pumping her fist as she walked off the mound to a thunderous ovation.
Finally, in the bottom of the 10th, the Sooners broke through. After Rothrock issued a leadoff walk to Kinzie Hansen, OU head coach Patty Gasso opted for small ball, and it paid off. A bunt single and a misplayed grounder loaded the bases with no outs. With the tension at its peak, Rylie Boone stepped into the box. Known for her contact hitting and clutch moments, Boone chopped a ball over the pitcher’s head and just past the outstretched glove of Florida second baseman Reagan Walsh, allowing Hansen to slide home safely with the winning run. The team swarmed Boone at first base as the crowd roared.
For Oklahoma, the 2-1 victory wasn’t just another win — it was a statement. After graduating several stars and enduring questions about whether the Sooners could sustain their dominance, performances like Landry’s provide a resounding answer. The composure, grit, and execution were textbook Oklahoma softball, and in a game that could have gone either way, it was the defending champions who once again found a way.
Landry’s complete game effort was her longest outing in a Sooners uniform and perhaps her best. She faced 36 batters, threw 129 pitches, and got stronger as the game wore on. Her command didn’t falter, and her ability to neutralize Florida’s big bats, including Skylar Wallace and Charla Echols, underscored just how locked in she was. After the game, Landry credited her teammates and catcher Hansen for calling a smart game and keeping her confident.
“I just stayed in the moment,” Landry said. “This team has my back, and I trust every single one of them. It was a grind, but we love these types of games. That’s why we’re here.”
Coach Gasso was effusive in her praise for Landry and the team’s resilience.
“That was an elite-level performance from Sam,” Gasso said. “She’s grown so much, and you saw her maturity and heart on full display tonight. We talk about championship mindset — and that was it. From the circle, from our defense, from the way we fought every pitch.”
On the other side, Florida head coach Tim Walton had little to criticize in his team’s effort. Rothrock was strong through nine innings, striking out seven and walking three while giving up just four hits. The Gators’ defense was sharp, and they had multiple chances to take control, but Landry simply didn’t allow it.
“We tip our cap to Landry,” Walton said. “She was tremendous tonight. We had our looks, but she didn’t give us anything easy. This series isn’t over, though. We’ll regroup and be ready tomorrow.”
The game had all the hallmarks of postseason intensity: long at-bats, diving catches, and fans on their feet for nearly every pitch. Even neutral observers would have to marvel at the level of play on display. Oklahoma’s win extends their home winning streak and gives them a crucial edge in the series, but both teams walk away knowing they are capable of beating the other.
The Sooners have won three straight national titles and continue to show no signs of slowing down. The emergence of Landry as a go-to ace gives them even more depth in the circle, alongside veteran Nicole May and standout freshman Kierston Deal. If Landry continues pitching with the control and confidence she showed against Florida, the path to Oklahoma City will once again run through Norman.
Meanwhile, Florida has plenty to be optimistic about despite the loss. Erickson’s homer proved she remains a dangerous bat in big moments, and Rothrock showed she can go toe-to-toe with the best lineups in the nation. With two games still to be played in the series, there’s every reason to expect more fireworks — and perhaps more late-inning drama.
Oklahoma’s bats were relatively quiet outside of Jennings and Boone, but their ability to manufacture runs, work walks, and stay disciplined proved invaluable. The Sooners didn’t press when the big hits didn’t come early, and instead leaned on their experience and fundamentals. That patience paid off in extras.
Fans left the stadium buzzing, knowing they had witnessed something special. In a sport where elite pitching and timely hitting often decide the biggest games, Sam Landry delivered both — the former from the circle and the latter by helping create the moment where her team could win it.
Now, the attention turns to Game 2, where the pressure shifts to Florida to respond. But if Game 1 was any indication, softball fans are in for a treat the rest of the weekend. Landry may have thrown every pitch for Oklahoma, but the ripple effect of her performance will be felt far beyond this single night. It was a reminder of why OU softball remains the standard — and why players like Sam Landry continue to elevate it.
