OU softball run-rules Binghamton in NCAA regional opener as Kendall Wells ends HR drought

Oklahoma softball opened its NCAA Tournament regional with an 11-0 victory over Binghamton on May 15, securing a commanding lead in their first game. The Sooners played at Love’s Field in Norman, with Audrey Lowry starting and allowing just one hit before being relieved by Berkeley Zache and Allyssa Parker, who combined to limit Binghamton to two hits total. Kendall Wells broke a five-game homer drought with her 37th of the season, a 289-foot shot over the loge boxes in center field, moving her one homer away from the NCAA single-season record held by UCLA’s Megan Grant. Freshman star Kai Minor added a double and a two-run homer, finishing the game at .450, while designated player Kasidi Pickering delivered a two-run homer of her own. The Sooners scored early, with Gabbie Garcia’s RBI single giving them their first run, followed by a two-run homer from Pickering in the first inning. Minor and Allyssa Parker added home runs in the second, and Ailana Agbayani drove in two more runs in the third. Wells’ homer in the fourth sealed the win, making the final score 11-0. Oklahoma’s pitching staff was dominant, with Lowry striking out three batters across two innings before Zache and Parker shut down Binghamton in relief. The Sooners will now face the winner of the Kansas vs. Michigan game in their second regional matchup, set for 2 p.m. Saturday. With four home runs and only two hits allowed, Oklahoma demonstrated its offensive and defensive strength in the tournament opener. Wells’ record-chasing homer and Minor’s continued hitting prowess highlighted the team’s depth, setting the stage for a strong regional run.