Oklahoma Sooners Knock Off LSU Tigers 4-1 to Advance in SEC Softball Tournament Behind Dominant Pitching and Timely Hits
The Oklahoma Sooners are officially in tournament mode. Facing a formidable LSU squad in the SEC Softball Tournament, the top-ranked Sooners leaned on their championship pedigree, crisp defense, and elite pitching to outlast the Tigers 4-1 and advance deeper into the conference bracket. In a game marked by strategic chess matches, gutsy performances, and the kind of tense atmosphere that defines May softball, Oklahoma once again showed why it remains the standard in collegiate softball.
From the outset, it was clear this would be no cakewalk for either team. LSU entered the contest with momentum and a lineup filled with speed and power, fully capable of flipping the script against any opponent. But Oklahoma’s ability to control the pace, limit big innings, and execute under pressure gave the Sooners the edge as they kept their national championship hopes alive and well.
The Sooners didn’t wait long to assert themselves. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Jayda Coleman set the tone by working a full-count walk, showing patience that would become a theme for the Oklahoma offense. Two batters later, Tiare Jennings delivered a laser single into left field, and when LSU starter Raelin Chaffin missed her spot with a rise ball, Kinzie Hansen pounced, lacing an RBI double down the left field line to give Oklahoma an early 1-0 lead.
That early run provided all the cushion Oklahoma ace Nicole May would need. May, the senior right-hander known for her poise in high-stakes games, was in control from the very first pitch. Mixing speeds and locations, she kept LSU’s hitters guessing all night, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out six in a complete-game effort. Her ability to stay ahead in counts and avoid the middle of the plate frustrated the Tigers, who were rarely able to square up the ball.
While May kept LSU’s offense quiet, Oklahoma continued to chip away. In the third inning, Rylie Boone reached on a bunt single and promptly stole second, putting herself in scoring position with no outs. Coleman followed with a line drive to right that moved Boone to third, and a sacrifice fly by Jennings extended the lead to 2-0. It wasn’t flashy, but it was textbook softball—move runners, put the ball in play, and force the defense to make tough decisions.
LSU, to its credit, didn’t go quietly. In the bottom of the fourth, Tigers shortstop Taylor Pleasants sent a deep fly ball into the right-center gap, legging out a double that ignited the crowd and gave LSU a flicker of hope. Georgia Clark followed with a hard-hit single to left, putting runners on the corners with one out. The Tigers finally broke through when Ciara Briggs lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Pleasants and cutting the deficit to 2-1.
But May shut the door quickly after that. With the tying run on base and LSU sensing momentum, she forced a routine grounder to shortstop to end the inning. That moment encapsulated Oklahoma’s night—cool under pressure, fundamentally sound, and unwilling to let mistakes pile up.
The Sooners responded immediately in the top of the fifth. This time it was Hansen again who did the damage, drilling a double off the centerfield wall that just missed clearing the fence. Jocelyn Erickson, one of the Sooners’ most consistent hitters all year, brought Hansen home with a clutch single through the right side, restoring Oklahoma’s two-run lead. The Sooners added one more insurance run in the sixth thanks to a two-out RBI single by Alyssa Brito, making it 4-1 and all but sealing the game.
From there, it was all about execution. Oklahoma’s defense, one of the most disciplined units in the country, turned two key double plays and made several highlight-worthy stops that kept LSU from mounting any serious threat down the stretch. Third baseman Cydney Sanders made a diving stab on a sharp grounder in the sixth, popping up and firing across the diamond for a key out that extinguished any chance of a late LSU rally.
The win wasn’t just about surviving and advancing—it was a statement. The Sooners, three-time defending national champions, entered the SEC Tournament with the pressure of expectations and the burden of sustaining greatness. Each opponent they face treats the matchup like a championship opportunity. But game after game, Oklahoma responds with the kind of precision and toughness that defines elite teams. This win over LSU was another example of how they continue to meet the moment, no matter how intense the stakes.
Head coach Patty Gasso, who has seen her share of deep postseason runs, praised her team’s approach after the game. “This was a team win,” Gasso said. “Nicole [May] was absolutely phenomenal in the circle, and our defense really backed her up. Offensively, we found ways to produce runs, and that’s what you have to do this time of year. It’s about being smart, staying composed, and trusting each other.”
Gasso also noted the challenges of facing an LSU team that has improved significantly as the season has progressed. “They’re really well-coached and they battle,” she said. “They made us earn everything tonight, which is exactly what you want this time of year. Our players responded the right way.”
Now, Oklahoma turns its attention to the next round of the SEC Tournament, where the competition only intensifies. But if this game is any indication, the Sooners are right where they need to be—peaking at the right time, playing clean softball, and trusting in the formula that’s brought them so much success over the years.
With key veterans like Coleman, Jennings, and Hansen leading the charge, and pitchers like May continuing to dominate in the circle, the Sooners are once again positioned to make a serious run through the postseason. Every at-bat, every pitch, every defensive sequence is being executed with purpose, and that laser focus is what separates contenders from champions.
The path forward won’t be easy. The SEC is as deep as it’s ever been, and Oklahoma will have to navigate more tough matchups in the days ahead. But what this 4-1 victory over LSU proves is that the Sooners still wear the target on their backs—and they’re embracing it.
LSU, meanwhile, will now regroup and await its postseason fate. The Tigers have had a solid season and will likely earn an NCAA Tournament bid, but this loss stings. For head coach Beth Torina, there are positives to build on, especially the fight her team showed in the middle innings and the growth of younger players under pressure.
“This one hurts,” Torina admitted. “But we’re not done. We’re going to take what we learned here and be ready for what comes next. We’ve got a lot of pride in this program, and we’ll bounce back.”
As for Oklahoma, the championship chase continues. With their SEC Tournament debut season unfolding in real time, the Sooners are writing a new chapter—one that looks very similar to the championship tales of years past. Resilient, methodical, and loaded with star power, Oklahoma looks ready to carry the banner for the SEC and keep chasing softball greatness.
Will this win be just the first of several on their way to another title run? If history is any guide, the answer is yes. But in the meantime, the Sooners will keep grinding, one pitch at a time.
