In sports, especially during postseason play, beating a team multiple times in a season is often a daunting task. The psychological and physical toll it takes to face a formidable opponent can lead to unexpected outcomes, even when one team holds a decided advantage. This is something the Arkansas Razorbacks will be keenly aware of as they prepare for their fourth matchup of the season against the Oklahoma Sooners in the semifinals of the SEC Softball Tournament.
It’s no secret that the Sooners have been a thorn in Arkansas’ side. The Razorbacks have struggled to overcome the dominance of Oklahoma, losing 14 straight games to the Sooners. This time around, Arkansas will need to prove that they are more than just an underdog story, attempting to stop the Sooners from taking yet another step toward postseason glory.
Oklahoma comes into this matchup with a near flawless record of 44-7 and a reputation that precedes them as the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament. Despite their dominance, the Sooners remain focused and determined, understanding that each game is a new challenge. Their pitching, led by ace Sam Landry, has been nothing short of exceptional. On Thursday, Landry pitched a one-hit gem in Oklahoma’s 4-1 win over LSU, showcasing why she is one of the premier pitchers in the nation. With her ability to stifle even the most potent offenses, the Razorbacks will have their work cut out for them in the semifinal matchup.
The game, which is set to take place at 3 p.m. CT on Friday, will be a rematch between two teams that have already faced off three times this season. Oklahoma won each of those matchups in dominant fashion, sweeping the Razorbacks in a three-game series in March. In those games, the Sooners outscored Arkansas 23-11, but it wasn’t as easy as the final scorelines might suggest. The Razorbacks kept things close in a couple of the games, especially in the early innings, giving them hope that they could find a way to break through in this semifinal.
For Arkansas, the road to the SEC semifinals has been a tough one. On Thursday, they earned their place by defeating a scrappy Tennessee squad and the SEC’s stingiest pitcher, Karlyn Pickens. The Razorbacks broke open a close game with four insurance runs in the seventh inning, taking a 6-1 victory that sent the Vols packing. But before that, Arkansas had to first overcome No. 12 Georgia in a second-round matchup, winning 5-1. Despite the win, Arkansas will have to find a way to build on their momentum and bring everything they have when they face off against a team that has been their nemesis all season long.
The challenge for Arkansas begins with the formidable Oklahoma offense. Leading the charge for the Sooners are sophomores Kasidi Pickering and Ella Parker, who have been exceptional at the plate this season. Both have batting averages north of .400, and together they’ve combined for 24 home runs and 88 RBIs. Their ability to generate offense from the top of the lineup has been one of the driving forces behind Oklahoma’s success, and they will look to keep the pressure on the Razorbacks’ pitching staff in this semifinal matchup.
Oklahoma’s offensive stats speak for themselves. They lead the SEC in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and rank second in home runs, with 95 blasts so far this season. The Sooners are also third in the SEC in runs scored, averaging 7.2 per game. For Arkansas, slowing down this high-powered offense will be their toughest challenge yet. The Razorbacks have seen Oklahoma’s power firsthand in their previous matchups, and they know they can’t afford to make mistakes if they want to avoid a repeat of earlier defeats.
One area where Arkansas will need to find an edge is in the pitching department. The Razorbacks are likely to start freshman right-handed pitcher Payton Burnham, who has shown flashes of brilliance this season. Burnham started the March 15 loss to Oklahoma, pitching 5.1 innings in a game that ended in a 6-4 defeat. While Burnham wasn’t the pitcher of record, her performance was still a bright spot for Arkansas. She has since gained experience and poise on the mound, helping guide the Razorbacks to key victories in the tournament. She will need to continue her growth and put together a strong outing to keep the Sooners’ bats in check.
In addition to Burnham, Arkansas will look to their star player, senior first baseman Bri Ellis, to lead the charge offensively. Ellis has been a force to be reckoned with all season long, and she is arguably the best player in the SEC. Leading the league in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and home runs, Ellis has the power to change the course of any game with a single swing of the bat. In the March series against Oklahoma, Ellis was a standout performer, going 5-for-10 with four runs, four RBIs, and two home runs. If Arkansas is going to have any chance of toppling the Sooners, Ellis will need to continue her hot streak and provide the offensive spark her team desperately needs.
But beyond the stars, the Razorbacks will need contributions from everyone in the lineup. Arkansas has been hitting grand slams in consecutive games, with Raigan Kramer hitting one with two outs against Tennessee on Wednesday and Ellis following suit in the win over Georgia on Thursday. The ability to come through in clutch moments has been a strength for the Razorbacks throughout the season, and they will need that same kind of production if they hope to overcome their recent struggles against Oklahoma.
For the Sooners, the key to continuing their dominance over the Razorbacks lies in their ability to stay focused and execute. Oklahoma has proven time and again that they are the best team in the SEC, but they understand that every game is a new opportunity to prove themselves. With their strong pitching and explosive offense, they are undoubtedly the team to beat in the tournament. But they also know that Arkansas will come out with everything they’ve got, and the Sooners can’t afford to take them lightly.
The stakes for this game are incredibly high. The winner will advance to the championship game on Saturday, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 Texas A&M and No. 3 Texas. The stakes are not only about the SEC Tournament title, but also about securing a top-3 national seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. For Arkansas, it’s a chance to prove they are more than just a team on the rise—they’re a legitimate contender who can take down the giants. For Oklahoma, it’s about continuing their reign of dominance and adding another trophy to their already impressive collection.
Ultimately, the story of this game is one of redemption, resilience, and opportunity. Arkansas has a chance to rewrite their history against Oklahoma and earn their first win against the Sooners in over two years. But they’ll need to summon every ounce of talent and determination to break Oklahoma’s grip on their program. For the Sooners, it’s business as usual—prove they are still the team to beat and continue their march toward a national championship. With so much on the line, this promises to be a game filled with intensity, emotion, and, hopefully for the Razorbacks, a bit of magic.
As the game approaches, fans from both sides will be eagerly anticipating what will surely be a thrilling contest. Whether Arkansas can finally break through against their longstanding nemesis remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure—the Sooners will give them no quarter.