Oklahoma Bounces Back to Beat Cal Behind Big Sixth Inning

The Sooners plated five runs in the top of the sixth to rebound with a victory over the Golden Bears at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Oklahoma Sooners softball team rebounded from an earlier loss to Long Beach State with a 7-5 victory over the California Golden Bears at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The Sooners scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to overcome a 4-2 deficit and secure the win.

Why it matters

This game was an important bounce-back win for the 5th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, who are looking to build momentum heading into the heart of their season. The Sooners' ability to rally late and overcome an early deficit against a quality opponent like Cal demonstrates their resilience and offensive firepower.

The details

Oklahoma pitcher Sydney Berzon settled the game down after a shaky start from Kierston Deal, allowing just two hits over 4 2/3 innings of relief work. The Sooners' offense came alive in the sixth inning, stringing together hits and walks to plate five runs and take a 7-4 lead. A solo home run by Cal in the bottom of the seventh was not enough, as Berzon closed out the victory for Oklahoma.

  • The Sooners fell behind early, with Cal taking a 4-2 lead by the third inning.
  • Oklahoma scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 7-4 lead.
  • Cal hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, but it was not enough as Oklahoma held on for the 7-5 victory.

The players

Sydney Berzon

The Oklahoma pitcher settled the game down after a shaky start, allowing just two hits over 4 2/3 innings of relief work to earn the win.

Kierston Deal

The Oklahoma starting pitcher struggled, allowing six hits and one hit batter while facing 11 batters in 1 1/3 innings.

Nelly McEnroe-Marinas

The Oklahoma player drove in a run with a single in the top of the first inning and added another RBI with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.

Carly Raven

The Cal player drove in a run with a single in the second inning and hit a solo home run in the seventh inning.

Kyndal Todd

The Cal player hit a solo home run in the third inning to give the Golden Bears a 4-2 lead.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This game demonstrated the resilience and offensive firepower of the 5th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, who were able to overcome an early deficit and rally for a key victory over a quality opponent in Cal. The Sooners' ability to bounce back from an earlier loss and secure this win will be an important confidence boost as they continue their season.