In a weekend series marked by power, poise, and timely pitching, Oklahoma’s standout slugger Ella Carmichael delivered a statement performance that not only propelled the Sooners to a pivotal conference series victory but reaffirmed her status as one of the most feared hitters in college softball.
Carmichael blasted two towering home runs in Sunday’s rubber match, driving in five runs and commanding the spotlight in Oklahoma’s 7-3 win over the No. 6-ranked Texas Longhorns. With the win, the Sooners took two out of three games from their Red River rivals and solidified their place atop the Big 12 standings.
“This was a huge weekend for us,” said Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso. “We saw what kind of firepower Ella can bring to the plate. She was locked in and gave us the spark we needed in the biggest moments.”
The Sooners entered Sunday’s matchup with momentum after splitting the first two games—dropping the opener in a close 4-2 loss before bouncing back with a convincing 6-1 victory in Game 2. But it was Carmichael’s bat that made the rubber match unforgettable.
Facing Texas ace Kailey McDaniel, Carmichael stepped up to the plate in the third inning with the game tied 1-1 and a runner on second. After fouling off two tough pitches, she barreled a 2-2 fastball deep to left-center field, watching it sail well beyond the fence for her first home run of the afternoon. The crowd erupted as Oklahoma jumped ahead 3-1.
“I knew she was coming inside again,” Carmichael said. “Coach [Gasso] told me to trust my hands and stay through the ball. Once I hit it, I knew it was gone.”
Her second long ball came in the sixth, this time with two runners aboard. Carmichael crushed a hanging changeup over the scoreboard in right-center, effectively sealing the victory at 7-2.
It was Carmichael’s third multi-homer game of the season and her 17th and 18th homers overall—both career highs. She now leads the Big 12 in RBIs (49) and is among the top five nationally in slugging percentage.
“She’s seeing the ball as well as anyone right now,” said Gasso. “She’s not trying to do too much. When she gets her pitch, she doesn’t miss it.”
While Carmichael was the centerpiece, Oklahoma’s offense showed depth and patience. Leadoff hitter Tiare Jennings went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, continuing her consistent presence at the top of the order. Meanwhile, second baseman Jayla Coleman reached base three times and stole two bases, constantly putting pressure on Texas’ defense.
“The balance we have is what makes us dangerous,” Jennings said. “Even when the top of the order isn’t clicking, the bottom can do damage.”
Oklahoma tallied nine hits on the day and drew four walks, keeping the pressure on McDaniel and the Longhorn bullpen. The Sooners capitalized on key mistakes, including a dropped fly ball in the fifth inning that extended a two-run rally.
“That’s what good teams do,” said Gasso. “We found ways to manufacture runs beyond just the home runs. That’s what wins you series in this conference.”
While Carmichael’s heroics will dominate the headlines, the Sooners’ pitching staff quietly pieced together a gritty, effective outing. Sophomore right-hander Nicole May earned the start and threw four solid innings, scattering five hits and allowing just two runs. She struck out six and walked none.
“She gave us everything we needed,” said pitching coach Jen Rocha. “Nicole set the tone early and worked out of a couple jams with poise.”
Reliever Kierston Deal entered in the fifth with the tying run on base and induced an inning-ending double play. From there, she shut the door, retiring six of the next seven batters and notching her second save of the season.
“That’s our identity,” said Deal. “We don’t panic, we just keep going. I knew I had my defense behind me.”
Indeed, Oklahoma’s infield defense was stellar, turning two double plays and making several highlight-reel stops—including a diving play by shortstop Alynah Torres in the sixth that robbed Texas of a base hit.
This series win is more than just another check in the win column—it sends a message across the national landscape. Texas entered the weekend ranked No. 6 in the country and widely considered one of Oklahoma’s biggest threats in the Big 12. Taking two out of three from the Longhorns, especially with such commanding performances, reinforces the Sooners’ status as a perennial powerhouse.
“We respect Texas a lot,” said Carmichael. “But this weekend, we showed who we are.”
The win also extended Oklahoma’s remarkable home winning streak to 37 games, a testament to the program’s consistency and dominance in Norman. The atmosphere was electric all weekend, with over 8,000 fans attending across the three games.
“Our fans showed up, and we fed off that energy,” said Gasso. “It was a championship-type atmosphere.”
With the series win, Oklahoma improves to 39-5 overall and 16-2 in conference play. They now hold a two-game lead over Texas in the Big 12 standings with two conference series remaining. The Sooners will face Kansas and Oklahoma State to close out regular season play, with their eyes firmly set on another conference crown and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
“This group is hungry,” said Gasso. “We have experience, leadership, and now we’re starting to click offensively in a big way.”
Carmichael echoed that sentiment, noting that the team’s chemistry and focus are at an all-time high.
“We’ve got big goals,” she said. “But we’re taking it one pitch, one game at a time.”
Beyond the Big 12, Oklahoma’s weekend performance bolsters their case for a top-four national seed come tournament time. With wins over multiple ranked opponents and a dominant record, they are firmly in the mix with teams like UCLA, Tennessee, and Florida State for a spot atop the NCAA bracket.
“I don’t think there’s any question we’re one of the best teams in the country,” Gasso said. “But now is when we prove it.”
The Sooners are battle-tested, deep, and driven. And if Carmichael keeps swinging like she did this weekend, they’ll be a nightmare matchup for anyone in the postseason.
Ella Carmichael’s multi-homer game will go down as one of the signature performances of the 2025 regular season. But more importantly, it was a glimpse of what this Oklahoma team can be when everything clicks. Power at the plate, lockdown pitching, and rock-solid defense—this is a championship formula.
As the calendar flips to May and the postseason looms, Oklahoma has sent a clear message: the road to Oklahoma City still runs through Norman.
