Big Bats of Oklahoma Too Much as Bulls Drop First Game of WCWS

The Bulls, playing in their first ever WCWS game, jumped out to a 1 to 0 lead over Oklahoma in the 4th inning, but it wasn't enough in the end as the Sooners brought out the bats and beat USF 5 to 1 to take the opening game to the WCWS (USF now 50-13 on the season).

Sara Nevins battled a tough Sooner batting order that had a total of 95 home runs entering the game (USF had just 27 as a team).  She worked 4.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 5 runs, 5 walks, and struck out 7 batters (also had 5 illegal pitches called against her).  The turning point in the game came in the 5th inning when Lauren Chamberlain hit a 2-run home run (her 28th) against Nevins that gave the Sooner the lead, the lead they wouldn't not give back.  Lindsey Richardson came in several times in relief, working a total of 1.1 innings, allowing 1 hit and struck out 2 batters.  Sam Greiner came in for the 6th, hitting one batter and walking another in as the Sooner pulled away for good in that inning.

The offense got it's one run in the 4th inning when Jessica Mouse reached on an error (she also led the game off with a double).  Coach Eriksen replaced her with a pinch runner, Courtney Goff, who was able to score on an RBI single from Courtney Salvarola.  In total, the team had just 3 hits (Mouse, Salvarola, and Richardson), as the team struggled against Ricketts who totaled her 400th strike out of the season.

The Bulls will face the loser of the LSU vs. Cal game on Saturday at noon as they look to rebound and keep the season alive.