Sooner softball gets pitching, hitting, and defensive play to take Auburn in Finals Game One

The pitching of Paige Parker (two runs, four hits), a three run homer by freshman Sydney Romero, and a terrific defensive play by first basewoman Shay Knighten was too much for the Auburn Tigers tonight in game one of the Finals of the Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall-of-Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.  A paid crowd of 8,171 was on hand as OU will try to wrap up the Series tomorrow night in the best-of-three set.

OU’s top pitcher, Parker, who has taken the mound for every inning in the Series, was cruising with a shutout with Romoro’s home run the difference with a third inning three run blast.  It was her second home run in the series for the freshman third basewoman.   Auburn’s home run queen Jade Rhodes smashed a two run dinger to cut the lead to one single run.

Immediately following, Auburn was able to get runners on second and third with only one out on a throwing error by Parker.  Tiger pinch-hitter Courtney Shea smashed a two bounce hard grounder at OU first baseman Shay Knighten who knocked the ball down and made the correct play with a smoker to home where Sooner catcher Lea Wodach tagged out Auburn’s lead runner Casey McCrackin.  It was the defensive play of the 2016 Series. The following batter popped up and OU took the first game three runs to two.  Feature Photo of the tag:

Casey McCrackin (11) is tagged out by Oklahoma’s Lea Wodach (15) at the plate while trying to score the tying run. Auburn vs Oklahoma, WCWS Finals Game 1 on Monday, June 6 in Oklahoma City, OK By Adam Sparks | Staff Photographer-The Auburn Plainsman.

OU coach Patty Gasso loves that old coaching cliché, “defense wins championships” as she commented on the play by her first year first basewoman.   “Shay, that was just a testimony to her love for her team and the will to make a play.  Took it off the chin, gathered it up. Wodach sticking at home plate. It was tremendous. Those are plays you need to win championships.”  Gasso, in her 22nd year at OU is now one game away from her third National Softball Title.