The Oklahoma Sooners' offense is already one of the most feared in college softball, and it just got even scarier heading into the NCAA Tournament. After a rare slump, junior outfielder Kasidi Pickering has rediscovered her power stroke—and she made a statement in the Sooners' dominant 11-0 run-rule victory over Binghamton to open the Norman Regional on Friday.

Pickering, a First-Team NFCA All-Region selection, had struggled at the plate entering postseason play, going just 5-for-36 (.139) over a stretch that tested her patience. But instead of overhauling her approach, she stayed the course. "I mean, it was a long drought, I guess you could say," Pickering said after the game. "So just being present in practice and knowing that you can't change the past—whatever happens, just work on the next at-bat."

That mindset paid off in a big way. Pickering launched a deep two-run home run to left-center field, kicking off the Sooners' home run party and setting the tone for the rout. She finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, looking every bit like the feared hitter who has been a cornerstone of Oklahoma's lineup for three seasons.

It's no surprise that Pickering tends to elevate her game when the stakes are highest. Last season in the NCAA Tournament, she crushed two home runs and drove in six runs in OU's first game against Cal in the Norman Regional. With her bat heating up at the perfect time, the Sooners' already potent offense looks even more dangerous as they chase another championship.