It was unlikely that the OU softball team would go unbeaten. It was difficult to imagine the top-ranked Sooners dropping this much, though. OU’s NCAA-best 31-game winning streak, which dates back to the previous season, ended on Saturday when they lost 3-1 to Missouri at Mizzou Softball Stadium.
The tying run was brought to the plate by a surge by the Sooners in the seventh. On the first pitch she saw, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas hit a homer to left to start the inning.
Then Cydney Sanders drew a walk after Gabbie Garcia emerged. The Sooners (28-1, 7-1 SEC) then suffered their first setback of the season when Ella Parker grounded out and Kasidi Pickering struck out swinging.
Madison Walker’s solo home run to centre with one out at the bottom of the first put the Sooners in an early hole. Later in the first inning, Stafania Abruscato doubled off Isabella Smith to give the Tigers another run. Taylor Ebbs’ solo homer to left to start the third against Kierston Deal put Missouri ahead 3-0.
Deal largely kept the Tigers in check except from that, which allowed OU to rally from behind. However, OU’s offence, which had a pregame average of over 8.7 runs per game, was largely ineffective. Despite having many opportunities, they were unable to come up with a major hit until they were at a loss.
Before Cierra Harrison returned to retire the team, the Sooners placed the first two runners on without the aid of a hit in the first. Despite starting the second with a double, Ailana Agbayani ended up stranded at second. The sixth was the only time the Sooners were retired in order.
The Sooners finished with just five hits, ending Garcia’s hitting run at 14 games. The series’ final game between the clubs will start at noon on Sunday.