The Oklahoma Sooners are going to get every team’s best, every time out. On Thursday in their Women’s College World Series opener, the Sooners were challenged by one of the best pitchers in softball and passed the test.
NiJaree Canady came into the game leading the nation in ERA, and it took the Sooners until the fifth inning to finally break through with their first and only runs of the game.
But it was the timely, late-inning heroics that have become commonplace for the Sooners that won the day. Jayda Coleman came through with a two-out RBI single that squirted through the left fielder to score another run to give the Sooners all the offense they needed on a day when Jordy Bahl was dealing.
Bahl earned the complete-game shutout, pitching around several situations with multiple runners on with her determination and strikeout prowess. She allowed five hits, one walk, and no runs. She struck out 11 Cardinal to pick up the win and move to 19-1 on the season.
With a record-setting crowd in attendance, the Sooners extended their all-tim win streak record to 49 games and will now play the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday at 2 pm CT on ABC.
It was a great game between two fantastic pitchers, but the outcome had Sooner Nation buzzing.
Jordy Bahl was tremendous
Jordy Bahl, you queen!
— Locked on Sooners (@LockedOnSooners) June 1, 2023
A battle for the ages
All the respect to Bahl and Canady today.
I don’t think we get a better first game pitching battle. My gosh.
— Jackie Winz (@jackiewinz) June 1, 2023
She comes through when it matters most
I have become very convinced Jordy Bahl’s best stuff comes when there’s a runner in scoring position.
BULLDOG.
— Tyler McComas (@Tyler_McComas) June 1, 2023
She doesn't blink
In a game where Canady made Oklahoma work to scratch 2 across, we can’t forget that Jordy Bahl was absolutely sensational today for OU. Didn’t blink early in multiple high-stress, high-traffic situations.
— Josh Helmer (@JoshOnREF) June 1, 2023
Incredible performance
BAHL GAME! What an incredible battle between both teams! Proud of the fight from the Sooners! Never gave up. I truly believe this hard fought game just made us even better! On to game #2! BOOMER!
— #1 Patty Gasso fan (@Nattys4Patty) June 1, 2023
She did it again
Our 🔥 starter!!!! BooooooNe pic.twitter.com/MzfQDyjCvV
— JulieGavel (@BSooner69) June 1, 2023
Pure joy
Coach, you cool if I give us the lead? 😆 @jaydac00 pic.twitter.com/nLJ73o87Hc
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) June 1, 2023
She's bout that
Jayda Coleman woke up feeling dangerous.
— Seth Oliveras (@SethOliveras) June 1, 2023
That 9-1 combination comes through again
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Rylie Boone delivers, Jayda Coleman delivers. CLUTCH.
— Josh Helmer (@JoshOnREF) June 1, 2023
It what she does
Jayda Coleman is inevitable. 2-0 #Sooners
— Andrew Smith🧸🎀🏴☠️ (@SoonerSoupGuy) June 1, 2023
Snubbed
National Player of the Year Jayda Coleman!!!
— THEUnap🥎l⭕️getic S🥎⭕️ner⚾️🏀⛳️🏈🏴☠️🏴☠️ (@UnapologeticOU) June 1, 2023
Big crowd to witness the performance
𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓
This afternoon's crowd of 12,379 is a new Session 1 record!#WCWS pic.twitter.com/98yRqNm7c0
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 1, 2023
The final strike
Won the battle. 💪#WCWS x @OU_Softball pic.twitter.com/LMvLBP69JB
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 1, 2023
2023 by the numbers
2023 Oklahoma Sooners Softball by the numbers through the opening round of the WCWS:
• 57-1 W/L record
• 27 wins via run-rule
• 480 runs scored
• 56 runs allowed
• 112 home runs
• 33 shutouts
• 17 errors
• 433 K's thru 358 innings
• 49-game win streak— Seth Oliveras (@SethOliveras) June 1, 2023
NiJaree Canady was fire
Canady deserves all the accolades! 🥎🥎🥎#WCWS pic.twitter.com/nUxtOfFqJR
— Soonerbornoku (@soonerbornoku) June 1, 2023
Incredible Atmosphere and Performance
11 Ks and a complete-game shutout for @jordybahl in @OU_Softball's first win of the WCWS 💪#WCWS pic.twitter.com/xTIZlXTSPC
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 1, 2023
Put respect on it
Like I’ve said before.
JAYDA COLEMAN
RESPECT THAT NAME.
— Jackie Winz (@jackiewinz) June 1, 2023
Sooners Depth Comes Through
Patty Gasso deploying yet another new batting order today in WCWS opener vs. Stanford. #Sooners have won 48 consecutive games, and now they've used a different order in 49 consecutive games…
— Ryan Aber (@ryaber) June 1, 2023
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