Oklahoma tops Tennessee to advance to semis

OKLAHOMA CITY » Oklahoma claimed its 50th straight win in style.

Tiare Jennings and Kinzie Hansen homered, and No. 1 seed Oklahoma rolled past No. 4 Tennessee 9-0 in five innings on Saturday to advance to the Women’s College World Series semifinals.

The Sooners (58-1) inched closer to a possible third consecutive national title and extended their Division I record for consecutive victories.

Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso said the Sooners aren’t worried about the record.

“We don’t talk about it,” she said. “We don’t. We really don’t. Because what we want to do is bring a national championship back to the University of Oklahoma and the state of Oklahoma because that will never be taken away from us. You can never take that away. It will live forever.”

Oklahoma played like a team on a mission. Starter Jordy Bahl allowed one hit — a double to Kiki Milloy, the game’s first batter. Bahl went 3 2/3 innings, walked one and struck out three to earn the win. Relievers Alex Storako, Kierston Deal and Nicole May did not allow a hit.

“Extremely proud of this team and the way they played pretty flawless, attacking offensively, pitching staff — all of them, on point,” Gasso said.

Tennessee (50-9) will try to bounce back in an elimination game against No. 6 Oklahoma State on Sunday. The Lady Vols will try to forget about being completely dominated by the Sooners, save for a few spectacular plays by Milloy.

“Certainly not the way we wanted to play or expected to play today,” Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said. “I’m still very proud of my team and have a lot of confidence in my team. That wasn’t us out there.”

Tennessee chose not to throw Ashley Rogers, a National Fastpitch Coaches Association first-team All American. She and No. 2 pitcher Payton Gottshall watched as hard-throwing freshman Karlyn Pickens got the nod.