The No. 10 seeded Sooners dropped their first NCAA Regional game 3-2 against North Dakota State Saturday afternoon.
The Bison scored a two-score home run in the top of the first on Friday afternoon before the game was postponed due to rain and lightning in the area.
Oklahoma’s offense was virtually silent the majority of the game when play resumed Saturday. The Sooners had recorded only two hits until they got to the bottom of the sixth.
OU loaded the bases and then sophomore designated player Fale Aviu recorded a clutch RBI double to tie the game. Neither team could close the game in regulation and it went to extra innings.
NDSU’s Tabby Heinz drove in a single to put the Bison back up one in the top of the ninth.
"I thought North Dakota State came out and played extremely well," Coach Patty Gasso said. "Their pitcher was a fighter, they came ready to play.”
Junior left-handed pitcher Paige Parker started in the circle for Oklahoma. She recorded six strikeouts, but gave up three hits and two walks in four and two thirds innings. Junior left-handed pitcher Paige Lowary replaced Parker in the top of the fifth. She finished with one strikeout and gave up one run.
The Sooners finished with seven hits, two RBI, left four on base and committed two errors. North Dakota State posted four hits, three RBI, left five on base and didn’t record an error.
"There are times when I felt like we were playing not to lose today and you can see, when you do that, your at-bats get taken away from you," Gasso said. "So this (next game) is going to be a win at all costs, play to win. Will it look different? I hope so."
OU will continue its regional at 8 p.m. Saturday against Arkansas.
