Oklahoma Softball Looks Unstoppable With Sam Landry—But There’s a Catch**
When Sam Landry takes the circle, Oklahoma looks invincible. But when she doesn’t? Things get messy.
The Sooners barely survived a wild 19-16 shootout against Wichita State on Wednesday, needing Landry’s late-game relief to seal the win. The teams combined for 35 runs in a windblown midweek slugfest—OU’s highest-scoring game since February 2023.
Starter Kierston Deal got an 8-run first-inning cushion, OU’s biggest single-frame outburst this season. But Wichita State kept answering, launching five homers to OU’s three in a back-and-forth barrage. The Shockers never led but clawed within two runs twice, forcing Landry into action earlier than expected.
Landry (10-1) allowed three earned runs—her first multi-run outing since February—while Deal and Paytn Monticelli gave up 11 runs in just three innings. The contrast is stark: Landry boasts a 1.31 ERA and three SEC Pitcher of the Week honors, while OU’s other arms hover between 2.98 and 4.02 ERAs.
As a team, OU’s 2.33 ERA ranks 21st nationally—but without Landry, it balloons to 3.63, which would be second-worst in the SEC. The Sooners can mash (63 HRs, 3rd in NCAA), but their bats won’t always bail them out—like in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to unranked Missouri, the only game Landry didn’t pitch.
OU’s path to a fifth straight title hinges on finding another reliable arm before the WCWS. Because in June, 19-run explosions won’t save them.
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