The Oklahoma Sooners faced the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for the second time this weekend, completing a five-game weekend. The Sooners suffered their first loss in more than a year, falling 7-5 to Louisiana in eight innings.
Things did not go well for Oklahoma, as Kelly Maxwell received the start, and the Sooners were shortly behind 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning.
Karlie Keeney came on in relief, but walked a hitter with the bases loaded, extending Louisiana’s advantage to 3-0. The Sooners offense struggled for much of the game against Ragin’ Cajun starter Chloe Riasetto
The Sooners appeared to be gaining momentum in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Kinzie Hansen blasted a two-run home run to trim the Ragin’ Cajuns advantage to 3-2. But whenever the Sooners appeared to be about to settle down, Louisiana responded. The visitors scored a run in the top of the seventh inning when Alyssa Britto fielded a ground ball and fired it home to Hansen. Hansen ended up fumbling the ball, allowing the runner to score and increase the margin to 4-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Sooners were down two runs with one out. Tiare Jennings came up to bat and reduced the advantage to one with an RBI single.
Riley Ludlam came in to pinch hit and hit a ball into shallow right field that was misplayed. Maya Bland was running on contact and moved up to third. Bland skirted home to tie the game after the throw passed through the Louisiana catcher.
In extra innings, Louisiana responded again. They were able to load the bases with no outs thanks to many errors by the Sooners’ defense. Ultimately, Louisiana was able to score three runs in the inning, leading 7-4.
Cydney Sanders blasted a single shot to make it 7-5, and Alynah Torres reached first to bring the tying run to bat. But with two outs and one on, Jayda Coleman stepped up to the plate, putting the record on the line. She grounded out to second, and the game ended. The Sooners defeated 7-5, snapping their 71-game winning streak.
Their next game is against Texas A&M Commerce on Wednesday, at 6:00 p.m. Central Time.
