The No. 16 University of Arizona softball team (31-13, 12-6 Big 12) lost to No. 21 Oklahoma State University (30-12, 11-7 Big 12) in a conference series. The Cowgirls are coming off a major 6-4 upset win over No. 1 University of Oklahoma in their last series. The Wildcats were unable to win the rubber match in back to back series, dropping another series two games to one.
Game 1
Starter Jalen Adams got the ball in game one trying to stop a red hot Cowgirls’ lineup. Running into early trouble, Adams gave up 3 runs in the first, capped off by a 2-run home run by Oklahoma State’s senior infielder Claire Timm.
The Wildcats’ lineup stifled through the early parts of this game, while Oklahoma State scored at least 1 run in each of the first three innings. Rylie Holder entered the game in relief and provided length and gave up minimal damage. Holder pitched 8.1 innings and held the Cowgirls to 5 runs and giving up 15 hits.
Arizona finally got the bats going in the fourth inning with a Tele Jennings RBI double. Jennings moved all the way up the cleanup spot after providing consistent offense for the Wildcats as of late. The offense would continue in the fifth with an Emma Kavanagh 2-run home run, her sixth of the year, to bring Arizona within 2 runs. The Wildcats finally were able to get to Oklahoma State starter Ruby Meylan.
The score was 6-4 Oklahoma State heading into the top of the seventh. Meylan recorded the first two outs, one out away from pitching the complete game. Arizona second baseman Sereniti Trice reached base by a Cowgirls’ fielding error.
With two outs and hopes dwindling, All American catcher Sydney Stewart blasted a 2-run homerun over the left field wall to tie the game at 6 heading into the bottom of the seventh. A defensive clinic sent the game to extras, gunning down an Oklahoma State runner at home to get the third out.
Going into the eighth, Tayler Biehl gave the Wildcats their first lead with a solo home run on an 0-2 count. The Cowgirls answered immediately with a solo home run of their own, nodding the game at 7.
In the bottom of the 10th, Jenae Berry came in and loaded the bases with two outs. With a full count, bases loaded two outs, Cowgirls Tia Warsop hit a game-winning RBI single, winning a 10 inning classic 8-7.
Game 2
The Wildcats set the tone early after losing a heartbreaker the night before with a 4-run first inning. A Cowgirls’ throwing error and a Biehl double brought in another run to cap off the inning.
Arizona extended their lead in the second inning. Reagan Shockey delivered an RBI double, followed by a Stewart RBI single.
The lineup continued to put pressure on Oklahoma State, with Arizona’s scoring in the first three innings allowing Adams to pitch with a comfortable lead for the complete game. The Cowgirls scored their lone run in the fourth inning.
Shockey led the way for the Wildcats’ lineup, going 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Arizona finished the series in dominant fashion with a 9-1 mercy rule victory.
Game 3
After a dominating 8-run rule in game two, the Wildcats’ offense picked up right where they left off, scoring 4 runs in the first. A 2-run double from Grace Jenkins gave Berry an early lead to work with.
Oklahoma State puts up 4 runs of their own to tie the game up heading into the second. Berry would be unable to record an out while giving up 4 runs on three hits. Holder would enter the game for the Wildcats and provide quality length. Both offenses went quiet for the next two innings.
With her second RBI of the game, Jennings proved to provide power from the cleanup spot, tying the game at 5 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Adams, in relief with one out to go in the fifth, couldn’t escape the damage, giving up a 2-run home run to Oklahoma State’s Audrey Schneidmiller which would ultimately be the deciding factor. The Wildcats would be unable to answer, blowing an early 4-run lead and losing the rubber match 7-5.
Looking ahead
Arizona looks to bounce back in their last home regular season series against the University of Houston at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 24.
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