Series Tied: Oklahoma Softball Wins Game 2 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional

NORMAN, Okla.- It looked like the Sooners had their backs against the wall after losing Game 1 against the Bulldogs on Friday 11-9. Despite having a season-high four errors in Game 1, Oklahoma had an error-free day in the 7-1 victory on Saturday. The four errors in Game 1 were also the most in a super regional game for the Sooners since 2010. 

This win gives the Sooners the opportunity to win Game 3 of the super regional and reach the Women's College World Series for the 10th straight season. On the other side, Mississippi State is looking to reach the Women's College World Series for the first time in program history. The Game 1 win for the Bulldogs was their first super regional win in Bulldog history. 

It was a hot start for both pitchers. In the first two innings, Mississippi State senior pitcher Peja Goold was able to strike out Kendall Wells, Gabbie Garcia, and Sydney Barker. Audrey Lowry for Oklahoma pitched the entire game with hardly any issues. Lowry allowed just five hits in seven innings with one run allowed and two strikeouts. 

Goold lasted until the top of the third where the Sooner offensive explosion took place. Kai Minor started things off with a double towards left field and reached third off of an error. Then, after a walk by Ella Parker, Wells singled to left center allowing Minor to score the first run of the day for the Sooners. In the next at-bat, Pickering walked which loaded the bases. Garcia also walked in her at-bat, allowing Parker to reach home and make it 2-0. 

After the Sooners went up 3-0 thanks to an Emerling groundout and fielder's choice, the Bulldogs turned to junior pitcher Alyssa Faircloth. Mississippi State may have made a pitching change, but that didn't stop the Sooner freshman pinch hitter. After Pickering scored off of a wild pitch, Lexi McDaniel hit a three-run shot to left which was her fourth home run of the season as a pinch hitter. Oklahoma managed to score all seven of their runs in the top of the third. 

Mississippi State had a chance to cut the lead in the bottom of the sixth. The Bulldogs were able to load the bases thanks to base hits from Stiles, Barbary, and Romero. With two outs remaining, Silva was able to score the Bulldog's first run of the game off of a Keller walk. With the bases still loaded, Richardson hit a deep ball towards the wall but was just short of a grand slam thanks to Kai Minor making the catch. Ella Parker and Abby Dayton also made huge grabs earlier in the game near the wall. 

UP NEXT: Game 3 will take place at Love's Field on Sunday, May 24, with game time and TV TBA. 

The winner advances to Oklahoma City on Thursday, May 28 for the Women's College World Series.