Norman, Okla. — Just when it appeared University of Oklahoma was on the verge of securing another postseason victory at Love’s Field, Mississippi State Bulldogs softball delivered a dramatic late-game rally that shocked the home crowd Friday night.
The Bulldogs erased a late deficit and capitalized on Oklahoma miscues to pull out an 11-9 victory in Game 1 of the Norman Super Regional, handing the Sooners their first postseason loss at Love’s Field and their first Super Regional defeat since 2015.
Mississippi State, coached by former Oklahoma standout Samantha Ricketts, earned the program’s first-ever NCAA Super Regional victory in a wild contest that lasted more than three hours.
Oklahoma looked to be in control entering the seventh inning after freshman standout Kendall Wells blasted a towering three-run homer in the sixth inning to put the Sooners ahead by three runs. The momentum quickly shifted, however, as Mississippi State mounted a furious comeback against Oklahoma ace Audrey Lowry.
With the bases loaded and Oklahoma clinging to a one-run advantage, Lowry fell behind in the count and issued a game-tying walk on a full-count pitch. Moments later, the Bulldogs took the lead on a clutch single combined with a defensive error by Ailana Agbayani, opening the door for a decisive two-run swing.
The Sooners were unable to respond in the bottom of the seventh, ending a game filled with offensive fireworks and defensive struggles.
Mississippi State’s lineup consistently pressured Oklahoma throughout the night, finishing with 15 hits compared to the Sooners’ 13. Defensive mistakes proved costly for Oklahoma, which committed four errors during the game.
Des Rivera paced the Bulldogs offensively with a perfect 3-for-3 performance that included a home run and several key hits in critical moments.
The Bulldogs struck first in the third inning when Tatum Silva delivered an RBI single that scored Nadia Barbary for a 1-0 lead. Oklahoma answered immediately with a power surge in the bottom half of the inning, crushing three home runs during a five-run explosion to seize momentum.
Rivera’s solo homer in the fourth inning cut into the deficit before Wells added an RBI single later in the game to extend Oklahoma’s lead to 6-2.
But Mississippi State refused to fade away.
The Bulldogs tied the game during a chaotic sixth inning that featured four runs, aided by Oklahoma defensive breakdowns. One run scored on an error by Sydney Barker, while another crossed the plate on a passed ball as the Sooners struggled defensively late in the game.
Wells temporarily reignited the Oklahoma crowd with her massive go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth, but Mississippi State answered with five runs over the final two innings to complete the comeback.
Oklahoma starter Miali Guachino worked three innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out three. Sydney Berzon provided relief before Lowry entered late and was charged with the loss after surrendering four earned runs.
Mississippi State starter Alyssa Faircloth exited after Oklahoma’s third-inning power barrage, but the Bulldogs bullpen stabilized long enough for the offense to rally late.
Now facing elimination pressure, Oklahoma will attempt to keep its Women’s College World Series streak alive when the Sooners meet Mississippi State again Saturday in Game 2 of the Norman Super Regional.
