Softball Falls to No. 1/1 Oklahoma Saturday in Second Regional Game

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Missouri softball program (35-25) dropped its 2023 NCAA Norman Regional winner’s bracket matchup to No. 1/1 Oklahoma, 11-0, Saturday afternoon at Marita Hynes Field.

Mizzou will now face the winner of California and Hofstra Saturday at 7 p.m., CT in an elimination game.

Oklahoma starter Jordy Bahl and reliever Kierston Deal combined to shutout the Tigers offense, limiting Mizzou to a single hit in the six-inning run-rule game. 

Kara Daly registered Missouri’s lone hit in the fourth, with a one-out single to center. Jenna Laird led off the frame with a walk and advanced as far as third base during the sequence. 

The Sooners earned the run-rule win with two runs in the first, three in the third, two in the fifth and a four-run sixth. 

Cydney Sanders commenced the scoring with a two-run single in the first followed by a Haley Lee RBI single in the third. 

Catcher Kinzie Hansen added a two-run homer to left center to increase the Oklahoma edge to 5-0.

OU added another run on a wild pitch before a solo shot from Sanders made the score 7-0 in the fifth.

Tiare Jennings chipped in a sacrifice fly before a bases loaded walk increased the margin to 9-0. Grace Green wrapped the scoring with a two-run single down the right field line in the sixth. 

GAME NOTES

• Kara Daly paced the Tigers, going 1-for-2 at the plate to extend her hitting streak to six games. 
• Jenna Laird pushed her reached-base streak to 12 games with a walk in the fourth. 
• Senior Megan Schumacher, senior Emma Nichols, and freshman Taylor Pannell all came on in relief of Laurin Krings (six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts). 
• Taylor Pannell registered the final out with a strikeout on her birthday.