The University of Utah softball team lost a close contest, 9-8, to the No. 21-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls on March 28 in Big 12 Conference play at Dumke Family Softball Stadium in Salt Lake City.
The result leaves Utah with a record of 25 wins and 10 losses overall, and an even split of four wins and four losses within the Big 12 Conference.
Utah began the game by quickly responding to an early run from Oklahoma State. After falling behind in the top of the first inning, Utah’s Kayla Lyon hit an RBI double, followed by a bunt from Hailee White that brought home another run. Kennedy Proctor added a sacrifice fly for a third run, and singles from Cian Noli and Payton Crank helped push across more runs before Mia Gomez delivered a two-run double. The Utes finished their half of the first inning leading by several runs.
Oklahoma State erased its deficit over the next few innings with three runs in both the third and fourth frames to take a narrow lead. Utah tied it up again with an RBI single from White in the fourth inning but saw Oklahoma State regain control after another run in the fifth. Danika Wilson answered for Utah with a tying RBI single before Amanda Hasler’s double put Oklahoma State ahead for good in the sixth inning.
Despite multiple rallies throughout the evening, Utah was unable to tie or retake the lead after falling behind late in the game.
Looking ahead, Utah will face Oklahoma State once more on Sunday at Dumke Family Softball Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.
