OU Softball: Chamberlain Ties NCAA Home Run Mark In Win

Oklahoma senior Lauren Chamberlain tied the NCAA Division I home run record as the fifth-ranked Sooners (38-6, 11-1 Big 12) took the rubber match against No. 14 Baylor (31-11, 6-3 Big 12) in five innings, 11-3, Saturday afternoon.

Chamberlain's record-tying home run started a seven-run fourth inning that put the game out of reach for OU. Coming on a 2-1 pitch, Chamberlain slugged it to center field to match former UCLA star Stacey Nuveman's (1997, '99, '01-02) Division I record of 90. It took Chamberlain 206 games and 571 at-bats to reach the mark of 90, while Nuveman finished her career with 90 home runs in 264 games and 691 at-bats.

“It feels good,” Chamberlain said postgame. “It is a little bit of a relief, and I feel a lot of weight off my shoulder. Honestly, the best feeling was meeting my teammates at home plate and seeing how excited they were for me.

“I believe me beating this record is just as much their record as it is mine, just because of the last four years and the different players I have met and the lineup I am surrounded by that make it possible for me to get those at-bats. It is just cool to share it with my teammates.”

Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso said that she was pleased and relieved that Chamberlain has tied the record.

“I am really excited for Lauren because the chains are free,” Gasso said. “The chains have been cut free, and now she will have the freedom to swing. That is what this team is ready for. That is what she is ready for. It would be a tough thing on anybody, and she has handled it like a champion.”

Chamberlain finished the day 2-for-3 with three RBI as she added a bases-loaded hit by pitch later in the fourth.

Fellow senior Shelby Pendley also homered in the game. Her 83rd career homer tied the game at 1-1 in the first. Junior Erin Miller then went back-to-back with Pendley to give OU the 2-1 lead in the first.

Freshman Paige Parker got the win in the circle as she allowed three run on five hits in 5.0 innings. She struck out two and walked one to improve to 20-4 on the season.

With the win, Oklahoma takes control of the Big 12 title race. Now 11-1 in the conference, OU owns a 3.5 game lead over second-place Baylor.