The Oklahoma Sooners were down to their final strike twice Saturday, on the verge of losing with everything at stake.
But Sooners catcher Kinzie Hansen saved the team’s season and their shot at history.
Hansen’s three-run home run in the seventh inning tied the Clemson Tigers at 7-7 and sent the game into extra innings.
𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒. @KINZIEHANSEN pic.twitter.com/MmncgxBI24
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) May 27, 2023
The Sooners would go on to win, 8-7 in nine innings in Game 2 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional, earning a spot in the Women’s College World Series.
The home run sent the game into extra innings, and the Sooners prevailed, 8-7 in nine innings, thanks to Tiare Jennings’ second home run of the game.
In the process, the Sooners (56-1) not only advanced to the WCWS, they set the all-time NCAA Division 1 record with their 48th consecutive victory. Arizona had held the previous record since 1996-97.
THAT'S BALLGAME‼️
The Sooners set the NCAA win streak record at 48 en route to the WCWS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e32U0coMMQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 27, 2023
And Hansen will be remembered as the player who saved Oklahoma’s shot at the record. Twice down to their last strike in that seventh inning, the Sooners somehow rallied.
“The Sooners aren’t over until the last strike,” Hansen said (via The Oklahoman). “We’re not done until the last out is made and is sealed.”
Now, the Sooners advance to the World Series, which they have won six times, including the past two years.
[ESPN; Photo Credit: Oklahoma Softball]
