Oklahoma Sooners Rebound From Early Deficit to Defeat Oregon Ducks and Secure Spot in Women’s College World Series Semifinal

After suffering a rare defeat in their previous outing, the Oklahoma Sooners showed once again why they remain the gold standard in college softball. Fueled by grit, timely hitting, and unwavering determination, Patty Gasso’s squad bounced back with a statement win, defeating the Oregon Ducks 6-3 on Sunday to advance to the Women’s College World Series semifinal round in Oklahoma City.

For a program synonymous with excellence, the idea of “bouncing back” might seem foreign—Oklahoma has rarely had to do it. But following their 9-7 loss to Florida on Saturday night, a game that ended their 20-game NCAA Tournament win streak, the Sooners faced one of their most critical tests in recent years. And true to form, they responded in championship fashion.

It wasn’t easy, though. Oregon, a team that had already upset UCLA earlier in the postseason, came in brimming with confidence and wasted no time in striking the first blow. In the top of the first, Ducks leadoff hitter Allee Bunker drew a walk before Terra McGowan roped a double to left-center field. With runners on second and third, Ariel Carlson grounded out to bring in Bunker for the game’s first run. Two batters later, a wild pitch from Oklahoma starter Nicole May allowed McGowan to score, giving Oregon a quick 2-0 lead.

May, a seasoned veteran in the circle, took a deep breath, settled in, and got out of the inning without further damage. That ability to regroup became emblematic of the Sooners’ overall approach to the day: weather the storm, regroup, then charge.

The response from Oklahoma came swiftly and forcefully in the bottom of the second inning. After Ducks starter Stevie Hansen retired the first four batters of the game, she left a pitch too high in the zone to senior shortstop Tiare Jennings, and Jennings didn’t miss. She crushed a solo home run to deep center field, cutting the Oregon lead to 2-1 and sending the sea of crimson and cream at Devon Park into a frenzy.

Hansen, who had been effective through much of the postseason, appeared rattled. She walked Kinzie Hansen—the Oklahoma catcher and no relation to the Oregon pitcher—before allowing a double to Jayda Coleman, putting runners at second and third with one out. Sooners third baseman Alyssa Brito then grounded out to second, but it was enough to plate the tying run.

With the score knotted at 2-2 and Oklahoma gaining momentum, Coach Gasso made a bold move, pulling Nicole May and inserting freshman left-hander Kierston Deal. The shift paid off. Deal was lights out through the next three innings, limiting Oregon’s power hitters and mixing her off-speed pitches effectively to keep them off balance.

The turning point of the game came in the fourth inning. With the game still tied and tension mounting, Oklahoma loaded the bases with two outs after a pair of singles and a hit-by-pitch. Up stepped Rylie Boone, who had been relatively quiet at the plate so far in the WCWS. On a 2-2 count, Boone connected on a sharp single up the middle, scoring two runs and giving Oklahoma its first lead of the game, 4-2.

The momentum clearly had shifted. The Sooners, known for their power, didn’t rely solely on the long ball but rather strung together quality at-bats, advancing runners, and playing smart, aggressive softball. In the very next inning, they added insurance. Jennings came through once again, driving in another run on a sacrifice fly before Kinzie Hansen capped the rally with a double to the wall in left-center that scored Coleman from second, pushing the lead to 6-2.

Oregon didn’t go quietly. In the top of the sixth, Carlson hit a solo home run to trim the deficit to 6-3 and give the Ducks a jolt of hope. But Deal, showing poise beyond her years, retired the next three batters in order.

In the final frame, Gasso handed the ball to senior reliever Karlie Keeney, who came in to close things out. Despite allowing a leadoff single, Keeney struck out the next two batters and induced a ground ball to end the game, slamming the door on Oregon’s season and sending the Sooners charging out of the dugout in celebration.

It was a game defined not just by the score, but by the character and resolve shown by the three-time defending national champions. For a team that rarely faces elimination pressure, Oklahoma answered every challenge with the poise of a program built for big moments. Coach Gasso praised her players afterward, especially the younger ones like Deal.

“She’s been ready for this moment all year,” Gasso said of the freshman pitcher. “We’ve talked about being ready when your number is called, and she delivered in a huge way today. We needed a spark, and she gave us that.”

Jennings, who finished the game with two RBIs and the key home run, echoed that sentiment. “We knew we didn’t play our best game yesterday,” she said. “But one thing about this team—we always come back stronger. We had each other’s backs. That’s what makes us who we are.”

Now, the Sooners move on to the WCWS semifinals for the fourth straight year. Awaiting them is a potential rematch with Florida, pending the outcome of Monday’s elimination game. While much attention will be placed on whether Oklahoma can win its fourth consecutive national championship, Sunday’s victory was more than just another step in the journey—it was a reminder that even the best teams face adversity, and how they respond to it defines their legacy.

For Oregon, the loss ends an impressive postseason run. The Ducks exceeded expectations, made a deep tournament run, and gave the Sooners all they could handle. Coach Melyssa Lombardi’s team showed they belong among the sport’s elite and should return several key players next season.

Still, the spotlight remains fixed on Oklahoma. Despite losing several stars to graduation and the professional ranks in recent years, the Sooners have rebuilt with the kind of depth and leadership that few programs can match. Sunday’s game was yet another example of their program’s resilience and adaptability.

Gasso, who has now coached Oklahoma to 17 WCWS appearances, noted after the game that championship teams aren’t just built on talent—they’re built on chemistry, work ethic, and the ability to bounce back.

“Anyone can win when things are going perfectly,” she said. “But can you win when you’re down, when your backs are against the wall, when everyone is watching to see how you respond? That’s when you find out who you really are.”

If that’s the true measure, then Oklahoma revealed once again why they’ve been the standard in college softball for the past decade. From the home run by Jennings to the clutch hit from Boone to the composed performance by Deal, the Sooners proved that a single loss doesn’t define them. The response does.

And that response was championship-caliber.

As the crowd at Devon Park erupted into chants of “Boomer Sooner!” and the team waved to their fans with smiles and hugs, it was clear that Oklahoma’s season—far from being derailed—is very much alive. With their semifinal ticket punched, the Sooners have reasserted themselves as the team to beat. Again.