No. 3 Oklahoma defeats Arizona State on the Road in a close battle

By: Faith Wick 

TEMPE, Ariz.- Arizona State softball hosted the eight-time national champion and No. 3 Oklahoma for the season opener. After a competitive seven innings, the final score was 2-1, Oklahoma.

“Opening night, I thought the girls competed tremendously well. I am excited for the year; they are locked in, and that’s what is going to make them dangerous,” ASU head coach Megan Barlett said.

Oklahoma has been known to have an elite softball program for decades in the making. “The girls definitely got a taste for what a World Series team feels and plays like,” Barlett said. 

Earlier in the day, the Sun Devils hosted Toledo to begin the season opener strong. ASU walked away with their first win of the season, the final score being 4-1. 

Kenzie Brown continues dominance

Senior pitcher Kenzie Brown was the starting pitcher for ASU on the field. Going into the 26’ season, Brown has been noticed as one of the top players in college softball. She was named Preseason All-Big 12 (2026), USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List (2026), D1Softball Preseason First Team All-American (2026), and Softball America Preseason Second Team All-American (2026). 

“No one expected us to be ahead in this game… we missed some defensive plays, but I think we are on the right track,” said Brown. 

Brown had herself a night on the mound, allowing just four hits and two runs on 116 pitches. 

Early offensive struggles

Things remained scoreless through the first 2 1/2 innings until redshirt senior outfielder Kaylee Pond sent one out of the park.

“We love KP; the energy she brings to this team is amazing. She is an amazing kid, we are thrilled she chose to be a Sun Devil,” Barlett said. 

The crowd was packed for opening night, both by Sun Devil fans and Sooner fans. The environment was erupting through every pitch and play of the game. 

We didn’t see more points appear on the board until the Sooners scored their first points of the night from a home run. During the top of the sixth inning, Freshman catcher Kendall Wells sent herself and junior utility Ella Parker running the bases.

ASU had the opportunity to make a comeback after falling 2-1 after the Sooner homerun. Unfortunately for ASU, they couldn’t find the connection on the offensive side and took the loss at home. 

“Arizona State is such an amazing place to play. I think my coaching staff do a great job at recruiting. I am excited about how talented they are, and how they feed off one another,” Bartlett said.