I seriously considered not going to this game. I did want to see more of #4 in the nation, Oklahoma. I just didn’t want to deal with more of their fans. Actually, the matchup I really wanted to see this weekend was Oklahoma against Minnesota. I thought MN might be a closer match anyone else. That was the early morning game, though. The Sooners beat the Golden Gophers, 12-2, in a run rule. So much for that.
The parking lot was again full and the “Sold Out” sign was up at the ticket office for this OK game against the Idaho State Bengals. This has been a banner weekend for the Aggie Softball program, at least monetarily. (The ticket prices were doubled for these games.) The Talking Heads, This Must Be the Place, was my walkup music coming up to the stadium. I like that song.
I didn’t have a problem getting in this time, unlike yesterday, but they were counting everyone, and judging by the full stands, it was close to a sellout. It was mostly Sooner fans, but there were several IDS fans there. I don’t know how many Aggie fans were present, other than myself. I was again lucky to find a seat. This time, I noticed that there were two concessions trailers parked by the soccer field and one of them was serving burgers and tacos. (Too bad they don’t do more of this at Softball, Baseball, and Soccer.)
The PA played Eric Clapton’s It’s in the Way That You Use It. It’s all my 80’s favorites today. OK coach was cheered when she brought out the lineup card. That’s loyalty. IDS was wearing snazzy orange and black uniforms. They made a circle by their dugout and clapped before the game. OK made a circle in the pitching circle before the game.
Marketing Director Nicole Sack walked by and suddenly said, “Hi.” (I was sitting by the aisle.) Perhaps she was surprised to see an Aggie fan here. She was in a good mood and who could blame her with this attendance. Later, back to reality, she was sweeping up popcorn on the stairs.
The top of the first began with a looking strikeout of a Sooner that caught everyone by surprise. The heckling by the OK fans started immediately and never quit on any further close calls. They did agree with the two walks in the inning. Bengal pitcher, Elizabeth Tommasini, did take a hard hit on the leg on a comebacker. She was okay. She later hit a batter, which forced in a run. Another run scored on a fielder’s choice, before Kai Minor cleared the bases with a triple. It was 4-0 Sooners.
During the inning, an OK foul ball hit the tent with their broadcaster. There were lots of foul balls in this game, but very few kids, so nobody chasing them. Also, the crowd was packed in, so getting up to chase them would have been a problem. The PA was giving all of the players some kind of walkup music for the game, likely not to their tastes, but it was upbeat. The PA also announced that it was 60-degrees in OK, 44-degrees in Idaho, and 65-degrees here.
The Bengals only managed a walk in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second, an OK fan in the red and white overalls appeared. It’s almost like a big-time football game. A great infield hit by Abby Dayton, a walk, and a 3-run homer by Kasidi Pickering chased Tommasini from the circle. Josslin Law came in and got the next three batters out. The final out was a looking strikeout on an appeal. Now the OK fans were mad at another umpire. Law had a great offspeed pitch. She was mobbed coming back to the dugout. 7-0 Sooners. The Bengals got two on in the bottom via a walk and an error, but weren’t able to cash them.
A cloud passed overhead and it was like an eclipse with the otherwise bright sunshine. Top of the third, a walk began the inning. The OK and IDS fans around me now agreed that the home plate ump was terrible. The OK fans were getting along better with the IDS fans than they were with the Aggie fans. Minor next blasted a majestic 2-run homer over the new scoreboard. Law was hit on a comebacker by the next batter, but did get the out on the play. She hit a batter and gave up a single, but without further damage. 9-0 Sooners.
In the bottom of the third, the second baseman dropped a grounder, but still got the out at first. Or should I say that the umpire gave her the out at first. There was a pitching change after the second out. Odd, given that Alyssa Parker had a no-hitter going. It wasn’t a good move as Ava Brown came up and broke up it up with a home run to center. 9-1 Sooners.
Gabbie Garcia got the run back to start the fourth with a homer. The PA was now saying “Boomer Sooner” on their home runs. Kennedy Dudley made a nice shoetop liner catch at third before Law retired the side. 10-1 Sooners. In the bottom of the fifth, I think former AD Mario Moccia’s daughter and a friend sat down by me after a couple of other fans had left. She wasn’t next to me, otherwise I might have asked how her dad was doing. There was a leadoff single in the inning, but that was all of the offense. OK wins 10-1 on a run rule. The girls didn’t get to see much of the game before leaving.
The teams made a prayer circle after game. This must be an Oklahoma tradition. They’re trying to make a better impression on the road than their lousy fans are. This began a mass exodus from the stands.
Gameballs for OK, Kasidi Pickering went 2 for 2 with 3 RBI’s and a home run, Kai Minor went 2 for 3 with 4 RBI’s with a home run, and Alyssa Parker gave up no hits or runs for 2 2/3 innings. For the Bengals, Ava Brown broke up the no-hitter with home run, so nice job there.
It was an hour and a half before the next game. I hadn’t planned on this contingency. I wasn’t really hungry, but had nothing better to do, so I went ahead and hit the Concessions trailer. At the grill, I got a $17 burger, chips, and soda. I returned to the empty stands to eat. It was really good. The burger reminded me of the ones served at the El Paso Chihuahuas games, thick and juicy.
I ran into Rito with the Aggievision crew and chatted for minute. I waved to his brother Mando, who was on field setting up a promo pic for the next game. The PA was still playing good music. I was enjoying Tears for Fears’ Head Over Heels.
Several IDS players were hanging out in stands, some with their parents. The girls danced a bit to the PA music, but left before the game started. (Good thing. It ended up being crowded for the Aggie game.) I noticed pitcher Josslin Law with her dad. I went over and complimented her on her offspeed pitch. She’s a cute little blonde. She smiled, giggled, and laughed. If I’d noticed Ava Brown, I would have congratulated her, too.
I was missing the O’Rilley Series Daytona race on TV. (I had to look up who the sponsor was this season.) I had to hope the next softball game with the Aggies would be worth it. I brought my radio for the Men’s Basketball game against Jax State, which would be starting at the same time. From the pregame show, I discovered that the Aggies are in danger of missing the tournament. They may have to win out in their last six games and get some help. Okay, Aggie Softball versus the Golden Gophers, ***up next.***
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