A seventh-inning defensive collapse spoiled Kendall Wells’ historic two-homer performance, forcing the three-time defending champions to sweep the remaining games to keep their season alive
NORMAN, Okla. — The third-seeded Oklahoma Sooners generated plenty of firepower at the plate, but costly defensive miscues and a late collapse handed them a devastating 11-9 loss to Mississippi State in the opening game of the best-of-three Super Regional on Friday night at Love’s Field.
Despite multiple leads throughout the contest, the Bulldogs erupted for five runs in the top of the seventh inning to stun the home crowd and put Oklahoma’s season on the brink.
The Sooners (51-9) now face elimination and must win the next two games to advance to their 10th consecutive Women’s College World Series appearance.
Freshman catcher Kendall Wells delivered a career-best performance, going 4-for-5 with two home runs and a season-high six RBIs. Her heroics nearly carried Oklahoma to victory, but the bullpen and defense couldn’t hold the lead in the decisive final frame.
“We go down fighting, especially here at home but anywhere,” said Sooners head coach Patty Gasso. “We’re going to be ready to make this right.”
Wells was unstoppable at the plate, collecting her first multi-hit game since April 19. She launched her 38th and 39th home runs of the season, moving within one of UCLA’s Megan Grant for the national lead.
With 87 RBIs on the year, she now sits tied for second in program history alongside Tiare Jennings’ 2022 total. Her six-RBI effort marked the first four-hit game of her young career and her sixth multi-homer game of 2026.
The game featured back-and-forth action from the start. Mississippi State jumped out to an early lead in the third inning on a bases-loaded infield single off starter Miali Guachino.
Oklahoma responded immediately with a three-run outburst in the bottom half. Kai Minor drew a leadoff walk, Wells crushed a 279-foot homer to left-center for her 38th long ball, and Jocelyn Emerling followed with a laser-shot 20th home run.
Jayden Pickering then added her own 20th homer, giving Oklahoma a 4-1 advantage and making the Sooners the first NCAA team ever with five players hitting 20+ home runs in a single season.
Mississippi State chipped away, adding a solo shot in the fourth. Oklahoma pushed the lead to 6-2 on an unearned run driven in by Wells. However, the Bulldogs mounted a comeback in the sixth, capitalizing on a fielding error by Sydney Barker and a passed ball to tie the game at 6-6.
That set the stage for Wells’ second homer of the night. With two runners on in the bottom of the sixth, she jumped on the first pitch from Peja Goold and launched a 262-foot three-run shot to left-center, giving Oklahoma a 9-6 lead and sending the Love’s Field crowd into a frenzy.
Unfortunately, the lead evaporated in the seventh. Mississippi State loaded the bases and strung together hits against Audrey Lowry, including a go-ahead infield single by Tatum Silva.
An error on Ailana Agbayani’s throw allowed an insurance run to score, making it 11-9.In the bottom of the seventh, Oklahoma mounted one final rally. Kai Minor singled and Ella Parker walked to bring Wells to the plate with a chance to play hero again.
However, Wells fouled out to first, and Gabbie Garcia struck out to end the game.The loss snapped several notable streaks for Oklahoma.
It marked the program’s first Super Regional defeat since 2015, which was the last time they missed the WCWS, and it also ended a 31-game home winning streak in NCAA Tournament play.
It was also the first postseason loss at Love’s Field.Both teams, known for strong defense, struggled with errors, combining for five in the contest. Guachino lasted just three-plus innings before giving way to the bullpen.
The Bulldogs improved to 41-19 and now hold a 1-0 series lead.
UP NEXT: Game 2 is scheduled for noon Saturday at Love’s Field. If Oklahoma wins, a decisive Game 3 would follow on Sunday.
The Sooners will look to bounce back quickly behind their potent offense and the leadership of veterans like Wells and Minor, who continue to shine on the biggest stage.
While Friday’s result was painful for the home side, Oklahoma’s resilience and championship pedigree suggest they are far from finished.
