Sooners Lose Series To Alabama After Late Grand Slam

The Sooners lost in one of the most heartbreaking ways possible in college softball, in game three of the Super Regionals too. The Sooners collapsed in the sixth inning, a day after Oklahoma had one of the best sixth innings they had all season.

They were up 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, where Paige Parker just ran out of gas. She pitched over 300 pitches in three days, and Patty Gasso made a mistake in leaving her in for the last couple of innings. Parker allowed a hit, followed by a walk, then a hit by pitch to load the bases. Then Marisa Runyon, who didn't have a single hit the entire series, hit a grand slam out in right field to put the Crimson Tide up by two scores.

The Sooners then went three up and three down as Oklahoma saw their Women's College World Series dreams shatter before their eyes. The game was the last for college softball legend Lauren Chamberlain, who hit three home runs in the series including two in game three. The NCAA record holder for most home runs in a career did not disappoint anyone with her final performance, but the Sooners have no one to blame but themselves on allowing the late collapse.

Gasso knew Parker was steamed, everyone did. She just didn't make the pitching switch even when it was obviously necessary the Sooners needed one. The decision to leave her in will probably haunt the Sooners, as they failed to make their fifth straight WCWS appearance.

Oklahoma ended the season with a final record of 49-9, nearly reaching the 50 win mark for the first time in three seasons. The Sooners should be back next year with a chip on their shoulder and should be ready for yet another postseason appearance.