OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Sooners are off and running in their quest for an unprecedented fourth straight NCAA Division I softball championship.
Kinzie Hansen homered and knocked in three runs, and the three-time reigning national champions defeated Duke 9-1 in six innings Thursday in the Women’s College World Series opener for both teams at OGE Energy Field.
Hansen, Alyssa Brito and Jayda Coleman each had two hits for the Sooners (55-6), who were seeded second overall in the NCAA tournament, which began with a 64-team field two weeks ago. Now it’s down to eight contenders in the double-elimination bracket that sets up next week’s best-of-three title series.
“What a great game for the Sooners,” Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso said. “It’s really something important to try to get that first win. We really prepared for Duke because they’re a really good team. I have immense respect for them, their coaching staff and what they’ve done to get here. They’ve always been on the cusp.”
Kierston Deal (13-1) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to get the win for Oklahoma.