To say that the post season has been a breeze for Oklahoma would be accurate. The Sooners cruised through their regional, 3-0, without even being scored on. Next they swept the Super Regional against Arkansas, only being scored on in one of the two games.
That wasn’t the case on Thursday afternoon though as Washington flipped the script. The Sooners opened up the 2018 Women’s College World Series with a 2-0 loss as the Huskies were the ones playing strong from the circle, stingy on defense and taking advantage of mistakes.
A tight pitcher’s duel loosened a little in the top of the fifth when Washington finally struck pay dirt. With runners on second and third, Sis Bates hit a comeback ball to Paige Lowary. After initially trying to apply a tag to Trysten Melhart, Lowary tossed the ball wide of catcher Lea Wodach, allowing Melhart to slide in safely.
Trysten Melhart SLIDES into home to get the Huskies on the board! #WCWS pic.twitter.com/5DvTpX3QWz
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 31, 2018
Julia DuPonte singled to center field, on the next at bat, to score Kelly Burdick and give the Huskies a lead and all of the momentum.
Going into the World Series no one would have thought a 2-run lead would be insurmountable for Oklahoma but that’s exactly what it was. The Sooners mustered just six hits against Washington freshman pitcher Gabbie Plain, and no Oklahoma player registered more than one hit.
“Well, she’s very good, hard breaking drop-ball, different speed,” Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso said about Plain. “She’s tough. Worked a lot early in the count, looked good in the strike zone, very poised. Did a very good job.”
Dropping into the loser’s bracket, Oklahoma will now need to win four games between Saturday and Sunday in order to advance to advance to the championship series.
“I know this might sound crazy,” Gasso said, “but this road was meant to be for us and we embrace it. We’ve been very fortunate to win the first game the last couple years, and it sets you up nicely but this road is a different road this year and we’re embracing this.”