OU softball: Scouting Tulsa’s best pitchers, pitchers, and how OU can capitalize

admin | April 16, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The No. 2 Oklahoma softball team bounced back from its first-ever Big 12 three-game series loss with a much-needed series win over BYU last week.

Now, OU (38-4, 15-3 Big 12) will host in-state foe Tulsa in a non-conference midweek battle at USA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

The No. 2 Oklahoma softball team rebounded from its first-ever Big 12 three-game series loss with a much-needed series victory over BYU last week. OU (38-4, 15-3 Big 12) will now face in-state rival Tulsa in a non-conference midweek game at USA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

Tuesday’s game versus Tulsa is the last non-conference game of the 2024 regular season, as well as the last midweek game on the schedule. OU is 23-1 in non-conference games this season and 5-0 in midweek games, but they are 3-3 in their last six overall.

LATEST ON TULSA

Tulsa (27-14, 12-6 AAC) has had its ups and downs, but they’re having a great season so far. Their most recent outing was a walk-off victory over East Carolina, in which they scored seven runs in the final two innings to win the American Athletic Conference series.

Tulsa may be 3-3 in its previous six games, but OU should not underestimate them. They’ve demonstrated they can compete with some of the best teams. Just last week, the Golden Hurricane came close to defeating No. 5 Oklahoma State, but lost 3-2.

DEFENDING TULSA

The Sooners will have to be on their toes early because, as with BYU, Tulsa’s strength lies at the top of the lineup. Imani Edwards and MacKenzie Denson have caused the most problems for opposing teams. They are now two of six Golden Hurricanes with batting averages above.300, but they are obviously the most threatening.

Edwards (.403) and Denson (.411) are Tulsa’s leading hitters this season. Denson is third in the league, with Edwards sixth. The Hurricanes are leading the conference with a.325 batting average and rank 18th overall. Tulsa also ranks 18th in doubles (69) and third in triples per game (0.48).

If OU can pull Edwards and Denson out early, they will be able to stifle any momentum that Tulsa may have. The Sooners failed to do so in Game 2 against BYU, which is why they lost despite having a solid offensive performance.

HITTING TULSA

In Game 3 versus BYU, OU got a reprieve when Kinzie Hansen’s flyball deflected off the BYU outfielder’s glove, bringing in a runner.

However, Tulsa may not be prone to such lapses, as evidenced by their performance thus far this season. Tulsa’s defense is ranked 14th in the nation by NCAA Softball, with a fielding percentage of.976.

Tulsa’s top three pitchers are all right-handers, so everything should be coming from the same side, which the Sooners can capitalize on. Kylee Nash (9-2, 2.90 ERA), Maura Moore (10-5, 3.91 ERA), and Anneca Anderson (7-4, 4.26) have pitched the majority of Tulsa’s innings, accounting for 241.2 of the club’s 261.1. Moore leads Tulsa in strikeouts (92) and innings pitched (103.2). Anderson has the team’s best opponent average (.198), and Nash leads the club with three saves.

SERIES RESULTS

Tuesday’s game will be OU’s third consecutive meeting with Tulsa. OU leads the all-time series 47-10, including a 13-0 record at neutral locations. Under head coach Patty Gasso, the Sooners are 40-10 against the Golden Hurricane and have won 12 consecutive games.

Tuesday’s game is planned for 6 p.m. The game will be aired on ESPN+, with radio coverage on 1560 AM/103.3FM. Franchise 2 and 107.7 FM The franchise.

Tags:Oklahoma Sooners