Three-time defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners dominated in their opening game of the Women’s College World Series on Thursday afternoon. The Sooners were attempting to become the first-ever softball program to win four consecutive NCAA championships.

The No. 2-seeded Sooners (55-6) opened with a 9-1 run-rule victory in six innings over No. 10-seeded Duke (52-8) before a Session One record crowd of 12,445 at Devon Stadium. The outcome extended OU’s record postseason winning streak to 19.

OU’s Kinzie Hansen went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, which included a two-run homer to left field in the fourth inning that gave the Sooners the lead for good. Alyssa Brito also went 2 for 3 and added two RBIs.

In their second game in the WCWS, the Sooners’ Kally Maxwell (21-2) pitched a superb game, allowing only two hits and picking up a complete-game shutout, 1-0 over the UCLA Bruins.

“This was an important game for both of us and Kelly decided to throw one of the best games of her life today,” Gasso said. “There was no way we would be pulling her after the job she was doing.”

The win pushed OU’s NCAA Tournament winning streak to 20 games and snapped UCLA’s winning streak at 14, the nation’s longest active streak entering Saturday’s contest.

“A memorable game,” Gasso said. “It was very exciting. Great pitching on both sides. We respect UCLA like nobody’s business. They’re such a good all-around team. Great hitters. They’re an all-around great team.”

The Sooners played Florida on Monday, after a three-hour rain delay pushed the start back to late afternoon.

A three-hour rain to delay before the start to the Women’s College World Series semifinal between Oklahoma and Florida guaranteed the teams would play only game Monday rather than potentially two.

The No. 4-seeded Gators (54-14) were powered by three home runs to post a 9-3 victory over the No. 2-seeded Sooners (56-7) to force a Tuesday elimination showdown at Devon Field. It was the Sooners first loss in the double-elimination tournament.

Without the rain delay, the if-necessary game would have been played 30 minutes after the first game, however, it was predetermined the game would be moved to Tuesday if necessary.

The winner of Tuesday’s game advances to the championship series against the Texas.

“Tough game for us,” Gasso said. “Florida hit the ball really well today. Credit them for that. We left 10 runners in scoring position, so that’s tough when you look at the box scores. I don’t think this was our best game by any means. The beauty of this is that we get another opportunity to make it right.”