No. 1 Oklahoma Stunned by Louisana, NCAA Record Win Streak Snapped at 71

OU (18-1) committed a season-high three errors, the most since the Sooners lost 8-4 to Florida State in Game 1 of the 2021 Women’s College World Series Championship Series.

Louisiana (10-12) also handed the Sooners their first loss in Norman since North Texas downed Oklahoma 4-3 on Feb. 29, 2020.

Sunday the Ragin’ Cajuns took the lead in the second inning, seemingly out of nowhere.

OU left-handed pitcher Kelly Maxwell seemed on her way to an efficient inning, retiring the first two batters of the frame on just four pitches.

Louisiana designated player Jourdyn Campbell had other ideas.

She ripped Maxwell’s 1-1 delivery to left field, putting her team in front with a solo shot.

The Sooners were unable to get any runs back in the second inning, but they threatened in the third.

Jayda Coleman fired up the dugout with a fist pump after drawing a one-out walk, turning the lineup over.

OU third baseman Alyssa Brito seized the momentum, moving Coleman up one more bag with a single.

Jennings was unable to deliver as she so often does, striking out, meaning Riley Ludlam would be Oklahoma’s last chance in the inning.

She looked two balls into the catcher’s glove, but a good spot from the Lousiana dugout meant she couldn’t see out the at-bat.

The Ragin’ Cajuns believed that Coleman left second base early, and after challenging the play, were proven correct.

Coleman’s out ended the inning, sucking the air out of Love’s Field.

With a bit of momentum back in their own dugout, Lousiana doubled the lead.

Cecilia Vasquez delivered a clutch two-out single, scoring Victoria Valdez to put the visitors up 2-0 and end Kelly Maxwell’s day.

Gasso called upon Karlie Keeney in relief with runners on first and second, and the threat continued.

Keeney was unable to fire in a full count strike to pinch-hitter Laney Creduer, loading the bases for leadoff hitter Mihyia Davis.

Again, Keeney issued a full count walk, extending Lousiana’s lead to 3-0.

Keeney then made a nice play on a hard-hit ball back to the circle, bringing OU’s bats back up to chase the game.

And as they so often have, the Sooners responded.

Ludlam’s leadoff single was immediately converted into a run when Kinzie Hansen belted a no-doubter to get the fans and the home team back into the contest.

In the fifth inning Coleman again drew a one-out walk, hoping to incite a rally. Brito made the second out of the inning, but Jennings’ two-out double put the pressure on true freshman Ella Parker.

She grounded to third, but the slow bounce meant there would be a play at first. Sophie Piskos’ throw pulled first baseman Sam Roe off the bag, causing a collision between Parker and Roe.

Parker was called out, and the call stood after a lengthy review. It appeared Parker missed the bag, meaning she was out when Roe landed on the base after making the catch.

Regardless, Coleman didn’t score, keeping Oklahoma in a one-run hole headed to the sixth inning.

Lackadaisical base running again proved costly for OU in the sixth inning.

Hansen walked and Boone laid another perfect bunt for a single to start the frame, but Hansen’s jump was too large off the bag, resulting in a pickle for the Sooner senior. Boone was able to advance to second, but the first out of the inning coming from Hansen on second base proved to be a back-breaker.

Cydney Sanders’ laser was hit right at Lousiana pitcher Chloe Riassetto, and she was able to knock the ball down and shuffle it over to first for the second out.

True freshman Kasidi Pickering then grounded out, sending the game to the seventh with the visitors still up 3-2.

Another mistake helped Louisana extend the lead in the top of the seventh.

With runners on second and third and just one out, the ball found Brito at third and she threw home with plenty of time to tag the runner.

But the unthinkable happened. Hansen dropped the ball as she applied the tag, allowing the runner to score on the error.

Keeney kept the damage to just the single run, bringing OU to the plate down 4-2 in the seventh.

Down to their final three outs, Hodge got things going for the Sooners with a leadoff walk.

Coleman and Brito both lined out, but being down to the last out has never bothered Oklahoma.

Jennings, who Gasso labeled as “the most clutch hitter” she’s ever seen on Saturday night, singled to into the gap to score Hodge, extending the game.

Then the Sooner Magic truly struck.

Ludlam popped up into shallow right field in what was seemingly a routine play to end the game, but nothing is routine when trying to knockout OU.

The ball was dropped, allowing Maya Bland, who was pinch-running for Jennings, to get to third.

Louisana’s throw down to the plate amazingly snuck between the catcher’s legs, allowing Bland to race home and tie a game that should have been over moments earlier.

The visitors dug deep, however.

Samantha Graeter put Louisana back on top with an infield single to extend the lead to 5-4 with the bases still loaded and no outs.

Keeney got a strikeout and a fielder’s choice for the next two outs, keeping the deficit at one, but Roe added needed insurance with a two-RBI single to extend the lead to three.

Sanders got one back for the Sooners with a one-out homer in the bottom of the eighth, but Louisana was instead able to close out the stunning upset in eight innings.

The Sooners will return to action looking to start another streak on Wednesday. Oklahoma will host Texas A&M Commerce at Love’s Field, with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. 

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