NORMAN — Just when you thought the Oklahoma Sooners' offense couldn't get any more dangerous, Kasidi Pickering has found her groove again—and the timing couldn't be more perfect.

The junior outfielder stepped into the NCAA Tournament on Friday looking to shake off a rare cold spell. Entering postseason play, Pickering had gone just five for her last 36 at-bats, a stretch that would test any hitter's confidence. But true to form, she didn't panic.

"It was a long drought, you could say," Pickering said after the game. "But you just stay present in practice and know you can't change the past. You focus on the next at-bat."

That mindset paid off in a big way. Pickering launched a two-run homer to left-center field, igniting the Sooners' offensive explosion in an 11-0 run-rule victory over Binghamton to open the Norman Regional. She finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, looking every bit like the NFCA First-Team All-Region selection she is.

It's a familiar story for Pickering, who has a knack for elevating her game when the stakes are highest. Last season, she crushed two home runs and drove in six runs in OU's tournament opener against Cal. This year, she's proving that even a slump can't slow down a hitter built for the big stage.

For Oklahoma fans, seeing Pickering back in form is a welcome sight—and a clear signal that the Sooners' offense is ready to make another deep postseason run.