OU Softball Defeats Utah Valley, Duke In Season Opening Series; Coach Gasso 3rd In All-Time Wins

The three-time defending champion Oklahoma Sooners started the 2024 season on Thursday with wins over Utah Valley and No. 10 Duke.

The games were played at Nancy Almaraz Stadium in Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

The first game saw the Sooners cruise to a 13-0 win in five innings.

OU true freshman Kasidi Pickering hit a grand slam to start the scoring run.

The next game was a top-ten showdown with Duke, but the Sooners snatched the lead early with a solo shot over center field by Tiare Jennings.

Kelly Maxwell, the former Oklahoma State pitcher, made her debut as well. She allowed just 1 hit in 5 innings.

Related Story: Cowboys-To-Sooners Transfer Kelly Maxwell Sits Down With News 9's Chris Williams

Oklahoma never looked back and beat the Blue Devils 3-0, making Coach Patty Gasso third on the all-time NCAA softball wins list with 1,458.