OKLAHOMA CITY (MAY 15, 2024)- The Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship marked a historic moment at Devon Park, drawing in a total crowd of 16,755 eager fans over the course of the four-day event to witness the first ever champions to be crowned at Devon Park.
Opening day saw lots of excitement and competition as the first game of the day featured seventh-seeded Kansas who took a 6-5 narrow victory over tenth-seeded Houston. Following suit, eighth-seeded Texas Tech and ninth-seeded Iowa State battled in an extra-inning thriller, with Texas Tech securing a hard-fought 10-9 win with a walk-off homer.
Day two brought its own surprises as sixth-seeded Brigham Young University stunned the crowd with a remarkable 7-2 upset against third-seeded Oklahoma State University. Meanwhile, second-seeded Oklahoma showcased their dominance once again with a commanding 10-1 victory over Kansas. First-seeded University of Texas asserted their authority with an early exit, 13-4 win against Texas Tech, sending them home from the tournament. Fourth-seeded Baylor rounded off the day with a nail-biting 3-2 victory over fifth-seeded Central Florida.
As the championship progressed to day three, the semifinals showcased some surprising matchups. Oklahoma continued their impressive run, overpowering Brigham Young with a 12-2 win in five innings. In the second semi-final, Texas displayed their own dominance, securing a 14-3 victory over Baylor, setting the stage for an epic championship showdown.
Championship day pitted two powerhouse programs against each other for the fourth time this year, as the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns faced off in a rematch of the Red River Rivalry. In a thrilling game with an electric crowd of 4,003 fans, Oklahoma emerged victorious, claiming the title of the first-ever champions at Devon Park with a 5-1 win. This victory marked their third consecutive Big 12 tournament championship title, a fitting conclusion as they prepare to make their move to the SEC (Southeastern Conference) for the 2025 season.
Oklahoma was not the only one to leave with a trophy as Ella Parker, OU freshman designated player, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, capping off an outstanding performance at the plate going 7-for-10 across the tournament, driving in five and scoring six of the Sooner runs.
The celebrations were nothing short of spectacular, with confetti cannons showering the champions and Devon Park shining brightly behind them. As the teams return home, anticipation built for the selection show hosted May 12th where the first round of regionals was revealed and slated to begin May 17th marking the beginning of the Road to Oklahoma City and the dream to clinch a spot at the NCAA Women’s College World Series hosted at Devon Park.