NORMAN, Okla. – The No. 16 UCF softball team was defeated by No. 1 Oklahoma in game one of their Super Regional series, falling 8-0 in five innings.
"It's good for our team and program to get here," said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "Oklahoma is a great team. We talk about having no regrets and my biggest regret is that you guys didn't get to see us yet. But the great thing is, we've got another one tomorrow."
Oklahoma was first on the board as they plated an unearned run in the first. Jocelyn Alo grounded one to second base, but the ball was thrown into the outfield, allowing Jayda Coleman to come around to score on the throwing error. Alo was caught between second and third and was thrown out retreating to second but gave the Sooners the 1-0 lead.
Oklahoma loaded the bases with nobody out in their half of the second inning. Starter Gianna Mancha got a strikeout and a ground ball that got a runner at the plate to get to two outs. Leadoff hitter Coleman struck again, taking a 3-2 pitch to the left-center field gap for a 2 RBI double. Alo kept the two-out rally going as she hit a three-run homer to give the Sooners a 6-0 lead.
A leadoff double in the bottom of the third chased starter Mancha in favor of Grace Jewell. A walk put runners on the corners before a wild 7-3-4 fielder's choice erased the runner at second. Angelina DeVoe was inserted into the ballgame and got the next Sooner to fly out, but saw a run come across on the sacrifice fly to make it 7-0. The next batter doubled to right-center field, scoring one more to make it an 8-0 Sooner advantage.
DeVoe retired the Sooners in order in the bottom of the fourth inning, the first scoreless inning for Oklahoma on the day.
UCF couldn't mount a rally in the top half of the fifth inning to end the game in a run-rule. Despite drawing three walks, the Knights didn't tally a hit in the contest.
The Knights have only been run ruled two other times this season, with the last occurrence against then-No. 5 Florida State back on Feb. 20.
UP NEXT
The Black and Gold need a victory in game two to keep their season going. UCF will serve as the home team in Saturday's game two against the Sooners at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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