Sooners win Bedlam

Parker pitches no-hitter against Cowgirls in 8-0 win

OU closed out OSU in Norman ahead of storms’ arrival Wednesday night.

NORMAN — With three straight appearances in the Women’s College World Series, Paige Parker knows all about high-pressure situations.

But perhaps the most crucial two outs of the senior pitcher’s career came in Wednesday night’s 8-0 win against Oklahoma State.

OU held an 8-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning, just two outs from runruling the Cowgirls when the first lightning strike was spotted at Marita Hynes Field.

After a 30-minute stadium evacuation, the No. 3 Sooners (45-3, 16-0 Big 12) sprinted back out on

the field to capitalize on the brief window of calm weather.

With dark, threatening clouds rolling in from the outfield, a severe storm was minutes away from hitting Norman.

Parker and her team had a limited amount of time to finish off the game and clinch their seventh consecutive Big 12 regular season title.

Parker delivered under pressure to finish off a no-hitter as recorded the final two outs of the game in less than 10 minutes.

“The team was ready to play,” coach Patty Gasso said. “I think Paige Parker wanted to get back on the mound out after not the greatest outing against Texas. She was phenomenal.”

Parker was just one leadoff walk away from recording a perfect game. The no-hitter was also Parker’s first of the season.

Flores smashes first career home run

Facing a two-out, 1-1 count in the second inning, freshman Eliyah Flores recorded the first home run of her collegiate career as her hit careened off the left-field scoreboard.

“The feeling is unbelievable,” Flores said of her home run. “I don’t even remember it happening now.”

Flores’ hit kicked off a series of two-out hits that played a key role in OU’s win against Oklahoma State. By the end of the second inning, the Sooners had a 4-0 advantage behind two home runs and four two-out hits. Before Flores stepped to the plate in the second, Nicole Pendley opened the frame with a solo shot.

Sydney Romero, Caleigh Clifton and Jocelyn Alo also recorded two-out singles.

Shay Knighten added a home run of her own in the fourth to finish off solid offensive night for the Sooners.

OU recorded eight runs on nine hits.

BYOT

During the Women’s College World Series, Twizzlers became the rallying symbol of the Oklahoma women’s softball team. OU athletic director Joe Castiglione tweeted about rally Twizzlers in the fifth inning of OU’s eventual 5-4 national championship-winning game. Ever since, the red licorice candy has been linked to the team’s success.

On Wednesday night, the OU softball team brought the Twizzlers back for the first time this season, encouraging fans to bring them in before the game.

During the game, fans held the candy one piece at a time and twisted them between their fingers to cheer on the Sooners.

UP NEXT

OU will take on OSU in Stillwater on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. It will be aired on FSOK.

[PHOTOS BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN] Oklahoma’s Paige Parker pitched the Sooners to victory over Oklahoma State Wednesday night, getting the last two outs after a lightning delay.

Oklahoma’s Eliyah Flores (5) celebrates after hitting a two-run homer in the second inning.

Oklahoma State’s Samantha Clakley (11) looks back towards the Cowgirls’ dugout after giving up a two-run home run in the second inning Wednesday night.

[PHOTOS BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN] Oklahoma’s Caleigh Clifton (20) throws back to first for an out in the third inning of the Bedlam softball game between Sooners and Oklahoma State on Wednesday night. The Sooners won 8-0.