Sooners Beat Oregon in Reunion in Regional

In a game matching two former colleagues, Oklahoma's softball team beat Oregon 6-3 on Saturday in the NCAA regional at Love's Field in Norman.

Oregon is coached by former Sooner and long-time OU assistant Melyssa Lombardi, who was returning to Norman for the first time since taking over as the Ducks head coach.

Lombardi and OU coach Patty Gasso greeted each other with a hug as they met for the pregame lineup card exchange.

OU pitcher Kelly Maxwell held Oregon to just one hit and struck out eight to get the win.

Maxwell had to return to the after reliever Karlie Keeney gave up three hits and two runs in just eight pitches in the top of the seventh.

OU's offense was provided by a pair of two-run home runs from Tiare Jennings and Ella Parker.

Jennings' homer came in the fifth inning to extend OU's lead from 2-1 to 4-1.

Parker added insurance with her homer in the sixth inning.

Oklahoma got on the board with two runs in the first after Maxwell had surrendered a solo home run in the top of the first.

Kasidi Pickering hit a sacrifice fly to tie it, then former Oregon Duck Alyssa Brito singled home a run to give the Sooners a 2-1 lead.

OU advances to the final at 2:00 Sunday and will have to be beaten twice to keep them from winning the regional.

The Sooners have won 20 straight NCAA Tournament games at home and 51 of their last 54.