No. 1 Oklahoma Softball Stays Perfect, Rallies Past No. 10 South Carolina in Historic SEC Debut
NORMAN — Oklahoma Softball made a statement in its Southeastern Conference (SEC) debut, erasing an early 5-1 deficit to outlast No. 10 South Carolina 10-9 on Friday, March 7. The victory keeps the top-ranked Sooners (20-0, 1-0 SEC) as the nation’s last undefeated team, thrilling a crowd of 4,140 at Love’s Field.
Emerling, Garcia Power Sooners’ Offensive Surge
The Sooners’ bats came alive thanks to Isabela Emerling, who launched two two-run homers, and Gabbie Garcia, who homered for a fourth consecutive game. Hannah Coor delivered the clutch game-winning two-RBI double in the sixth inning, sealing OU’s first-ever SEC victory.
OU 10, South Carolina 9 – How It Happened
Kasidi Pickering set the tone early with a leaping grab at the wall, robbing Arianna Rodi of extra bases in the first inning. The Sooners capitalized as Ella Parker and Pickering drew walks before Nelly McEnroe-Marinas drove in Parker with a single.
South Carolina responded in the second, capitalizing on four singles and two OU errors to surge ahead 5-1. But the Sooners wasted no time clawing back—Ailana Agbayani doubled before Emerling’s towering blast down the left field line cut the deficit to 5-3.
OU roared ahead in the third as Garcia crushed an opposite-field three-run homer, plating Pickering and McEnroe-Marinas to seize a 6-5 lead.
The Gamecocks briefly pulled even at 6-6 in the fifth on a Lexi Winters sacrifice fly, but Emerling struck again, hammering another two-run shot to right field to push OU ahead 8-6.
Isabella Smith then shut down South Carolina in the bottom of the frame, giving the Sooners a chance to extend their lead. Coor delivered insurance—and the eventual game-winner—lining a two-run double inside the first base bag, bringing home Garcia and Agbayani.
South Carolina made one last push in the seventh, as Winters blasted a three-run homer to trim the lead to 10-9. But Smith stayed composed, retiring the next three hitters to lock in the Sooners’ first-ever SEC victory.
Pitchers of Record
Win: Isabella Smith (6-0)
Loss: Jori Heard (10-1)
Statistical Standouts
- Gabbie Garcia | 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 R
- Ailana Agbayani | 3-for-3, 3 R, 2B, BB
- Isabela Emerling | 2-for-3, 2 HR, 4 RBIs
- Kasidi Pickering | 2-for-2, R, 2B, 2 BB
The Sooners remain unbeaten and now shift their focus to game two of the series, looking to further cement their dominance in the SEC.
