OU Softball Faces Arizona in Candrea Classic Finale

Sooners look to take series after splitting first two games against Wildcats

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners softball team wraps up the opening weekend of the 2026 season with the finale of a three-game series against the 17th-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Sunday in the Candrea Classic in Tucson. The teams split the first two games, with OU winning 21-3 on Saturday after Arizona took the series opener 11-6 on Friday.

Why it matters

This matchup between two top-20 programs is an early-season test for the Sooners as they look to build momentum towards another deep postseason run. The outcome could impact the national rankings and set the tone for the rest of the season for both teams.

The details

In the series opener on Friday, Arizona roared back for an 11-6 win against the Sooners. But OU bounced back on Saturday, with Ella Parker hitting two of the team's seven home runs in a 21-3 beatdown of the Wildcats. The Sooners rallied for a 2-1 win at Arizona State in Thursday's season opener, with Kendall Wells hitting a two-run homer.

  • The Oklahoma vs Arizona game starts at 12:00 PM CT on Sunday, February 9, 2026.
  • The Sooners opened the season with a 2-1 win at Arizona State on Thursday, February 6, 2026.
  • OU lost the series opener to Arizona 11-6 on Friday, February 7, 2026.
  • OU evened the series with a 21-3 win over Arizona on Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

Patty Gasso

The head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners softball team.

Ella Parker

An Oklahoma Sooners softball player who hit two home runs in the team's 21-3 win over Arizona on Saturday.

Kendall Wells

An Oklahoma Sooners softball player who hit a two-run home run in the team's 2-1 win over Arizona State on Thursday.

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What’s next

The winner of Sunday's game will take the series, giving them an early-season boost as they look to make a run at the Women's College World Series.

The takeaway

This weekend series between Oklahoma and Arizona features two of the top softball programs in the country, providing an exciting early-season matchup that could have implications on the national rankings and set the tone for the rest of the season for both teams.