In the Sooners’ run-rule victory over Baylor, OU softball pitcher Sam Landry delivers a perfect game.

In the world of college softball, few things are as dominant as a perfect game—a game where a pitcher doesn’t allow a single opposing player to reach base, whether through a hit, a walk, or an error. When it happens, it’s an extraordinary feat that highlights not only a pitcher’s skill but also her mental fortitude and control of the game. For Sam Landry, the sophomore pitcher for the Oklahoma Sooners, her performance in a run-rule victory over Baylor in 2025 will be remembered as one of the defining moments of her career and a testament to her incredible potential on the mound.

In this game, Landry was nothing short of spectacular, delivering a perfect game while the Sooners cruised to a dominant 10-0 victory over the Baylor Bears. The perfect game, combined with the run-rule victory, was a defining performance not just for Landry but for the entire Oklahoma softball program, which has built a reputation for being both offensively powerful and defensively sound. But it was the mastery of Landry on the mound that made this particular game stand out.

Let’s break down how Landry achieved perfection, how the Sooners’ offense backed her up, and what this performance means for Oklahoma’s championship aspirations in 2025.

The Rise of Sam Landry: An Introduction to the Young Ace

Before we dive into the specifics of this game, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the rise of Sam Landry as one of the premier pitchers in college softball. A transfer from Louisiana Lafayette, Landry arrived at Oklahoma with a reputation as a dominant arm and strikeout artist. Her first year with the Sooners saw flashes of brilliance, but her performance in 2025 has shown the true extent of her development.

Landry’s success can be attributed to a combination of factors: her elite pitching mechanics, mental toughness, and ability to execute under pressure. She has a sharp rise ball that generates a high number of swings and misses, a changeup that keeps hitters off balance, and a fastball with excellent movement. Her arsenal is complemented by her ability to keep hitters guessing, mixing pitches in and out of the strike zone and maintaining a cool demeanor in high-pressure situations. Landry’s performance in this game was a perfect encapsulation of everything she brings to the table as a pitcher.

The Perfect Game: Landry’s Flawless Performance

From the moment Sam Landry took the circle against Baylor, it was clear she was locked in. She started the game with an early strikeout in the first inning, setting the tone for what was to come. Baylor’s hitters, known for their aggressive approach at the plate, were stifled by Landry’s pinpoint control and the variety of pitches in her arsenal.

Through the first few innings, Landry had the Bears off balance, mixing fastballs on the inside corner with rise balls that sailed high and out of the strike zone. Each pitch she threw was executed with precision, and the Baylor batters couldn’t seem to find an answer. She worked quickly through the lineup, retiring the side in order in both the first and second innings. By the third inning, the Sooners had already taken a 5-0 lead, providing Landry with some cushion, but it was clear that she wasn’t going to let up.

As the game progressed, Baylor’s hitters began to show signs of frustration. Several of their best hitters, including Avery Giesler and Jasmine Williams, couldn’t make solid contact. They swung through changeups and were caught off guard by Landry’s ability to place the ball precisely where she wanted it, both on the inside and outside edges of the strike zone. Landry’s velocity continued to increase, keeping Baylor on their heels. She struck out the side in both the third and fourth innings, using a combination of speed and precision to put the Bears away with ease.

By the time the fifth inning came around, it was clear that Landry was on the verge of something historic. She had faced 15 batters and retired each one. No errors, no walks, no base runners—a perfect game in the making. It was a tense moment, as Baylor, trailing by 9-0, was running out of time to mount a rally, and Landry was running out of batters to retire.

In the top of the fifth inning, Landry struck out another batter and got two quick groundouts to end the frame. As the Sooners went into the bottom of the fifth, they were up by a commanding 10-0 lead, thanks to a few timely hits and aggressive base-running that broke the game open. With the run-rule already in effect, the game was set to end after five innings, but Landry still had business to finish.

With the last three outs, she remained focused, her adrenaline running high but controlled. She got two quick outs in the final inning: a strikeout to start the frame and a ground ball to second base for the second out. With one final batter to face, Landry threw a perfect rise ball that broke late and forced the Baylor hitter to swing and miss. The Sooners erupted in celebration as Landry’s perfect game was officially complete.

The Perfect Game: Breaking Down Landry’s Success

So, what made Sam Landry’s performance so flawless, and why did she deliver such a dominant outing? There were several key elements to her success on this historic night:

1. Pitching Command and Control

Landry’s ability to place her pitches with precision was the most critical factor in her perfect game. She wasn’t just throwing pitches to get them over the plate; she was locating each pitch where she wanted it, consistently hitting the corners and keeping hitters off balance. She showed great command of all her pitches, but especially her rise ball, which was a weapon all night. She forced numerous swings and misses on the pitch, and when hitters made contact, they often grounded out weakly to infielders.

2. Mental Toughness

One of the things that set Landry apart was her ability to stay mentally focused. Despite the pressure of a perfect game and the excitement of the Sooners’ dominant offensive performance, she stayed calm and kept executing. Landry has always been a pitcher with a strong mindset, but this game showed just how tough she is in high-stress situations. She wasn’t distracted by the score or the circumstances—she just focused on getting each batter out, one at a time.

3. Offense Backing Her Up

A perfect game is certainly a team achievement, and while Landry was the star on the mound, the Sooners’ offense played an important role as well. With a 10-0 lead after just five innings, Landry was given plenty of support by her teammates. Jocelyn Alo and Tiare Jennings each had multiple RBIs, and Jayda Coleman had a key double to drive in two more runs. The aggressive offensive approach, combined with Oklahoma’s ability to control the game, allowed Landry to focus solely on her pitching and not worry about the scoreboard or game pressure.

4. The Defense Behind Her

While Landry was perfect in her pitching, the defense behind her was also flawless. The Sooners’ defense has always been one of the best in the country, and this game was no exception. Players like Kinzie Hansen, Jocelyn Alo, and Jayda Coleman made several key plays to support their pitcher. While there were no balls that threatened a hit in this game, the team’s communication and positioning ensured that the game was smooth and error-free.

What This Perfect Game Means for Landry and the Sooners

A perfect game is a rare and prestigious achievement in college softball, and it’s especially significant for Sam Landry as a player. For a young pitcher in her second season at Oklahoma, this game was a statement to the softball world that she is among the best in the nation. Delivering such a dominant performance in a game against a Big 12 opponent like Baylor only enhances her reputation.

For the Sooners, this perfect game is another sign that they are well-positioned to compete for a national title in 2025. With a rotation that includes Landry, along with other talented pitchers like Jordy Bahl and Nicole May, Oklahoma has one of the most formidable pitching staffs in college softball. Additionally, the Sooners’ offense, led by power hitters like Jocelyn Alo and Tiare Jennings, has the firepower to overwhelm any team.

This victory also serves as a reminder that Oklahoma’s dominance is built on team effort, with the pitchers, hitters, and defense all coming together to produce incredible results. For Landry, this game is a career-defining moment, and for the Sooners, it is another step toward their ultimate goal of winning another Women’s College World Series.

 Landry’s Perfect Game Marks a New Chapter for the Sooners

In what will surely be remembered as one of the most impressive performances of the season, Sam Landry’s perfect game against Baylor is a powerful statement about her potential and the strength of the Oklahoma Sooners’ softball program. From her flawless pitching to the dominant offensive performance, this game was an exhibition of everything that makes the Sooners one of the most feared teams in the country.

As the season continues

, Oklahoma’s championship aspirations are clearer than ever, and with Landry at the helm of their pitching staff, they are a formidable force in the pursuit of their next national title. For Sam Landry, this perfect game is only the beginning of what could be a legendary career with the Sooners, and it’s a performance that will go down in history as one of the finest in Oklahoma softball’s storied tradition.