It was a rubber match Sunday showdown between Arizona and Oklahoma State. After losing in 10 innings on Friday then earning a run-rule win on Saturday, Arizona dropped the finale 7-5 to lose the series.
The Wildcats (31-13, 12-6 Big 12) finished a 3-week road trip with a 4-5 record, splitting the six Big 12 games. The Cowboys (30-12, 11-7 Big 12) outhit UA 8-6 and pitcher Ruby Meylan pitched all seven innings, finishing with four strikeouts.
Jenae Berry started the day but it ended very quickly. Unable to get an out, she allowed the Cowboys to match Arizona’s four run first inning. Rylie Holder then came in to stop the bleeding.
Despite pitching back to back scoreless innings, Holder allowed the bases to get loaded in the fourth inning. She threw 3.1 innings before Jalen Adams came in to finish the day. Adams did allow a run to come through before the inning ended.
Arizona got the game back to a tie, but in the fifth the Cowboys took the lead back on a two run home run. Adams (18-7) threw 2.2 innings and had the lone strikeout on the day for the Wildcats.
A very productive top of the first inning helped get Arizona out in front early. Tele Jennings started the scoring with a single to left field that brought in Regan Shockey.
Grace Jenkins doubled to left center field which allowed Sydney Stewart and Jennings to get home. Reaching on fielder’s choice, Jenna Sniffen gave Tayler Biehl enough time to score from third to add onto the lead.
Taking a 4-0 lead to the bottom of the first, the Wildcats went through the entire order. However, the Cowboys responded right away. Oklahoma State matched Arizona’s four runs in the bottom of the first and nearly went through the entire order as well.
Two and half scoreless innings were played before Oklahoma State took its first lead of the day. The Wildcats responded quickly when Jennings doubled to bring in Stewart to tie the game.
It looked like Arizona was going to keep the game tied in the bottom of the fifth but on a bunt, Stewart sailed her throw over the head of Kez Lucas which got the Oklahoma State runner all the way to third base.
The next batter went the distance to give the Cowboys a two run lead and never looked back from there. Unable to tie the game or retake the lead, Arizona dropped the series. It is only the second Big 12 series dropped this season for the Wildcats
Arizona returns to Tucson for its final regular season home series against Houston starting on Friday at 6 p.m. PT. Senior Day is set for Sunday at Hillenbrand Stadium.