In true “Sooner Magic” fashion, Oklahoma softball stayed resilient, opportunistic, and ultimately victorious in their Women’s College World Series opener Thursday at Devon Park. Sophomore slugger Ella Parker sealed the dramatic 4-3 comeback win over Tennessee with a towering three-run walk-off home run to center field, sending the second-seeded Sooners soaring into the winner’s bracket and setting up a marquee clash with rival Texas.
Down 3-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, Oklahoma needed a spark — and got it from Ailana Agbayani, who led off the inning with a walk. Kasidi Pickering followed by reaching base, creating a window of opportunity against Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens. Then, with one swing, Parker shattered the Lady Vols’ upset bid, driving a no-doubt shot over the center-field fence to complete the rally.
Parker’s walk-off capped off a gritty performance from the Sooners, who had been chipping away at Tennessee all game long. Despite falling behind early due to defensive miscues and timely hitting from the Lady Vols, Oklahoma refused to quit. They left runners on in each of the previous three innings, threatening but never breaking through — until the final frame.
“We’re never done,” OU head coach Patty Gasso said postgame. “You give us one extra strike or one extra pitch and we’re going to find something out of it.”
That mindset has defined Oklahoma’s dynasty under Gasso, and it came through again when it mattered most. Facing one of the WCWS’s best arms in Pickens, the Sooners stayed patient, hunted pitches, and executed in crunch time.
Tennessee, meanwhile, looked poised to play spoiler for much of the contest. They jumped to a 3-1 lead, capitalizing on uncharacteristic defensive lapses by Oklahoma and clutch hits to plate their runs. But the lead never felt entirely safe.
“I had a bad feeling after that leadoff walk,” Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly admitted. “You just can’t give a team like Oklahoma extra chances.”
Parker, who’s been a steady contributor all season, delivered her biggest hit in a Sooner uniform when the pressure peaked. The sophomore’s calm approach and raw power made her the ideal hitter in that moment — and she didn’t miss.
Oklahoma’s resilience has been a theme during their WCWS build-up. Gasso notably turned to unconventional team-building methods this postseason, including badminton, dodgeball, and book clubs to strengthen team chemistry and relieve pressure. That loose-but-focused approach seems to be paying off.
“I think all of that helped us stay connected in the tough moments,” Parker said. “When we believe in each other, anything can happen.”
With the win, Oklahoma advances to face Texas in a much-anticipated Red River showdown in the winner’s bracket. Tennessee, meanwhile, drops into an elimination game against Florida.
For OU, the road to another national title remains alive — and it started with a reminder that even when they’re down, the Sooners are never out. Thanks to Ella Parker’s clutch heroics, the quest for WCWS glory rolls on.
