OU softball shuts out San Diego State in Mary Nutter Classic, extends win streak to 65

ryan aber, the oklahoman

Sat, Feb 24, 2024, 11:59 PM·3 min read

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. — There was no cake.

No singing of "Happy Birthday."

There was, however, celebration.

Just like there’s been 64 other times.

OU softball’s NCAA-record winning streak not only stretched to 65 with Saturday’s 7-0 win over San Diego State at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, but the streak reached yet another milestone.

The streak began right on the field where the Sooners beat the Aztecs.

It was Feb. 24, 2023, and OU opened the Mary Nutter with an 8-0 win over Cal State Fullerton, rebounding from a loss to Baylor the previous Sunday.

The Sooners haven’t lost since.

After an explosion of the bats Friday, as OU combined 19 runs in wins over Mississippi State and Wisconsin, the Sooners largely relied on pitching and defense against San Diego State.

Kierston Deal came up big, settling in quickly after two runners reached against her in the first.

The sophomore retired 16 consecutive batters until an infield hit with two outs in the sixth ended the streak.

The night before, Sooners coach Patty Gasso said she wanted to start stretching out her starters.

She did that Saturday, as Deal went the distance, allowing just three hits and walking none to throw OU’s first seven-inning complete game of the season.

The Sooners (12-0) got all the offense they needed in the second after Maya Bland was called safe due to obstruction with one out.

With two outs, Jayda Coleman delivered a two-run single.

OU added two more in the fifth on Tiare Jennings’ two-run home run to straightaway center on the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

In the sixth, Hannah Coor delivered her first career hit, helping ignite a two-out rally.

Jennings followed with a two-run double, then freshman Ella Parker dropped a single into center to score Jennings.

Jennings finished 3 for 4 with four RBIs and two runs.

Hansen and Kasidi Pickering also added two hits each.

The Sooners wrap up the Mary Nutter with a doubleheader Sunday, taking on Seattle at 11 a.m. CT and Loyola Marymount at 1:30 p.m. before heading home, where they’ll open Love’s Field on Friday.

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