NORMAN —Though plenty has changed for OU softball over the last four seasons, there has been one constant —Jayda Coleman in the starting lineup.
The Sooners’ center fielder had started 228 consecutive games, the longest streak in Division I softball.
But when Sooners coach Patty Gasso filled out her lineup card ahead of Saturday’s second game of a three-game series against Houston, Coleman wasn’t on it.
It didn’t matter much, as No. 2 OU blew out the Cougars 10-2 in five innings.
“Everybody knows how phenomenal Jayda is,” Gasso said. “Just giving opportunities, giving a little rest time.”
Instead, Rylie Boone manned center for the Sooners and Ella Parker took over in Coleman’s usual leadoff spot.
Coleman had been in the leadoff spot for 19 consecutive games before being held out Saturday.
She was 2 for 4 with an RBI, a run and a walk in Friday’s series opener.
Coleman is leading the Sooners (41-4, 17-3 Big 12) in hitting, at .430 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs and a 1.312 OPS.
“I could put a lineup together with any nine on this team and we’re gonna find a way to win,” Gasso said. “I felt really good tonight. I felt the energy. I felt the attack early. We are starting to roll in that direction. … I tell them this out loud —I’ll take any of you out of this lineup and we’re still gonna win, so know that. And it’s not a threat, it’s just the truth and that’s having a good team with some good players that are sitting on the bench waiting for an opportunity.”
The Sooners have won four consecutive games, outscoring opponents 33-5 during that stretch.
The series closes with Sunday's finale scheduled for 1 p.m. at Love's Field.
Here are three other takeaways from the win:
Kasidi Pickering comes up big
Freshman Kasidi Pickering had a strong game, finishing 2 for 2 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and a run.
Pickering delivered an RBI double to center in the Sooners’ four-run first inning and then belted an RBI triple down the right-field line in the second to kickstart a six-run OU fourth.
"Today's game just meant more," Pickering said, without much elaboration. "Like my why was a lot for the 20 girls behind us and just passing the bat to the next person."
Sooners get run on unusual wild pitch
One of OU’s runs in the wild third inning came on a wild pitch.
But Cougars catcher Turiya Coleman never had a chance to save it.
While Taylor Edwards was pitching to Tiare Jennings, Edwards lost the ball on her windup, as it dribbled behind the circle toward the shortstop.
After a brief moment of confusion, Quincee Lilio raced home easily while Rylie Boone advanced to third, just beating the throw there.
The play was also scored as a ball.
It wasn’t the only interesting defensive play.
In the top of the fifth, Hannah Coor looked like she’d ended the game with an impressive sequence, catching Katy Repa’s sinking liner in left and then throwing to first from her knees to apparently double up Bethany Aguilar.
But after a review, Coor was ruled to have trapped the ball and Repa was sent to first and Aguilar to second.
"I wish that was the way to end the game because our team was berserk on that," Gasso said.
Jazmyn Rollin belts long home run
Houston was trailing 10-0 in the top of the fourth when Jazmyn Rollin absolutely crushed Nicole May’s 2-1 offering.
The home run cleared the bleachers in right center, landing near the back fence of the stadium.
Rollin responded on the no-doubt, two-run homer, the 50th of her career, with a high flip of her bat.
As Rollin rounded the bases, most of OU’s players on the field stared her down.
The runs were the only ones surrendered by Nicole May all game. May threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing three hits with one walk and four strikeouts to improve to 12-1.
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OU softball live score updates vs.Houston
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Bottom 3: Sooners stretch out their lead to 10-0
After scoring four in the first, the Sooners added six more in the third to stretch their lead to 6-0.
Kasidi Pickering delivered an RBI triple in the third after having an RBI double in the first.
A bit later in the inning, there was an unusual sequence when Houston pitcher Taylor Edwards lost the ball during her windup and it dribbled behind her, and Quincee Lilio raced home to score from third and Rylie Boone advanced to third on the unusual wild pitch.
Jayda Coleman’s consecutive starts streak snapped
For the first time in her OU career, Jayda Coleman wasn’t in the lineup Saturday.
Coleman had started 228 consecutive games, the longest active streak in Division I softball.
With Coleman out, Rylie Boone started in center while freshman Ella Parker led off.
OU softball highlights vs.Houston
More:Relive OU softball's run to three straight WCWS titles with our 'Crimson Empire' book
What time does OU softball vs.Houston start?
- Date:Saturday, April 20
- Time:6 p.m. CT
- Where:Love's Field in Norman
More:From Hope Trautwein to Turiya Coleman, OU softball will see familiar faces vs. Houston
What channel is OU softball vs.Houstonon today?
- Streaming:ESPN+
- How to watch online:Watch ESPN (here's how to stream it live)
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