Ella Parker’s Late-Inning Heroics Lift OU Past Tennessee, Keep Title Hopes Intact

Ella Parker’s Late-Inning Heroics Lift OU Past Tennessee, Keep Title Hopes Intact
By Chase S.        Friday, May 30, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s championship pursuit nearly took an immediate detour Thursday afternoon.

Down to their final out in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Sooners were staring down a tough reality: losing on opening day of the Women’s College World Series and falling into the unforgiving grind of the elimination bracket. That’s when Ella Parker changed everything.

What started with Ailana Agbayani’s lead off crucial walk, led to Kasidi Pickering’s deep single with two outs to put runners on the corners. Then with one swing, Parker launched a three-run home run that turned a 3-1 deficit into a dramatic 4-3 walk off win over Tennessee at Devon Park. 

Inside the pitcher’s circle, senior ace Sam Landry held her own and kept the score close despite an uncharacteristic first inning. Landry allowed two hits and two runs in the first inning as winds were howling to the outfield early. She still pitched a complete game, with her pitch count totaling 139 pitches and 84 strikes. Landry allowed one more run after the first inning with six more hits bringing her total hit count to eight. As the winds cooled down, Landry and the Sooners seemed to return to the way their ball club plays too, with grit. 

Sooner faithful could’ve blamed nerves or the early strong winds, but for the majority of the game, the newest record holder for NCAA softball’s fastest pitch, Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens was the main storyline of the game. Pickens entered the 2025 WCWS ranked second nationally in ERA (1.00) and fifth in strikeouts (280). A new blemish on Pickens’  career though will now be a pair of home runs off the bat from Oklahoma’s Ella Parker, including the three-run, walk-off blast that sent Tennessee into the tournament’s losers bracket. 

In a game defined by tension, unlikely errors, and missed opportunities by the Sooners, Parker delivered when it mattered most. Rescuing Oklahoma from the brink and preserving its direct path toward a potential 5th straight national title.

Avoiding the loser’s bracket is more than just a sigh of relief. It changes the entire landscape. Instead of preparing for a win-or-go-home matchup against Florida, where OU lost two of three in Gainesville earlier this month, the Sooners now get a full day of rest before a high-stakes clash with Texas on Saturday. It’s a critical shift, however, not only for momentum but for managing arms and energy during the grueling stretch ahead. Whoever is in the circle on Saturday is up to coach Patty Gasso and Jen Rocha, there are certainly options.

Oklahoma’s recent history favors their path ahead. While Florida handed the Sooners a rare series loss earlier this month, OU swept Texas in Norman at Loves Field this season and has handled the Longhorns in every major meeting since last season’s Big 12 and national championship games.

Thanks to Parker’s timely swing, OU remains in full control of its postseason journey. Pitching plans stay flexible. The lineup stays intact. And most importantly, the pressure stays on everyone else.

There was nothing easy about Thursday’s win, but Parker made sure Oklahoma didn’t have to do things the hard way. Saturday’s Red River Rivalry matchup with the Longhorns in the winners bracket will be at 2 p.m. on ABC/ESPN.