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Kai Minor thriving in leadoff spot, OU rolls again in 10-2 victory

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo04/03/26BPrzybylo

It’s not that Kasidi Pickering was a bad leadoff hitter for OU softball, not by any means. But there seems to be another level this team is beginning to hit with Kai Minor in that No. 1 spot.

It was on full display Thursday. Her speed, her ability, all of it simply too much for Kentucky. Paced by Minor, OU rolled to a 10-2 run-rule (5 innings) victory against the visiting Wildcats at Love’s Field.

Kentucky put up a two-spot in the first, but Minor got things started the right way by drawing a leadoff walk. From there? Just a 275-foot bomb by freshman Kendall Wells, her nation-leading 28th home run of the season.

Minor then came through with a pair of two-out run-producing hits in her next trips to the plate. Minor finished with three RBIs and is now hitting .505 for the season.

OU also got a solo home run from Pickering in the first. And Gabbie Garcia pitched in with a two-run single in the third.

The two-run singles by Garcia and Minor both occurred with two outs, as Kentucky simply could not get that final out.

Minor singled to begin the fifth. And then Ella Parker brought her home and sent everybody home with a double.

OU pitcher Audrey Lowry gave up three hits in the first inning but then cruised after that. She struck out two in her four innings.

OU then went to freshman Berkley Zache, who worked herself out of a jam to get through the fifth.

The Sooners are 36-3 overall and 9-1 in the SEC.

Game 2 is set for 1 p.m. Friday, moved to an earlier time because of the weather expected to hit the area in the evening. The finale is 11 a.m. Saturday.

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