NORMAN, Okla. – Facing the four-time defending national champions under the lights at Love's Field, the East Texas A&M University softball team fell 8-0 to the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday evening.
 
The Sooners used three pitchers in the game and tossed a combined five-inning no-hitter to move to 27-0 on the season, while the Lions fall to 7-22 on the season. Oklahoma is rated No. 1 in most major national rankings. 
 
After the Lions went down in order to start the game in the top of the first, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas singled to center with an out in the bottom of the first, and Kasidi Pickering doubled through the left side to put two on. Gabbie Garcia followed with a single to center as McEnroe-Marinas scored, while Pickering advanced to third, and Garcia advanced to second on the throw.
 
Pickering scored on a single up the middle by Sydney Barker, as Pickering advanced to third on the play. Ailana Agbayani drove home Garcia on a sacrifice bunt. With the bases loaded, the Lions forced a grounder to end the inning.
 
After two outs on five pitches to start the bottom of the second, Pickering drew a four-pitch walk. Garcia followed with a single to right center, as Pickering advanced to third on the play. Garcia stole second as Barker drew a walk to load the bases. Agbayani collected her second RBI of the game, drawing a bases-loaded walk on four pitches.
 
In the third, the first two Sooner batters went down in order. Abigale Dayton drew a walk and stole second and came around to score on a double to center by McEnroe-Marinas. Pickering followed with a walk and Garcia plated McEnroe-Marinas with a base hit up the middle.
 
Both Pickering and Garcia came around to score as Barker reached on a fielding error in the outfield, and advanced to second on the play. The Sooners went down in the order in the fifth.
 
Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper) drew a walk with two outs in the fourth, which was the only batter to reach base safely in the game for the Lions. She also advanced to second on a wild pitch but was stranded there.
 
Emma Olsen (Elk Grove, Calif.) started the game and took the loss for the Lions. She allowed four earned runs in 1.2 innings. Victoria Masters (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) pitched the final 2.1 innings in the circle for the Lions, allowing two earned runs.
 
For the Sooners, Garcia went 3 for 3 and McEnroe-Marinas went 2 for 3. In the circle, Isabella Smith threw two perfect innings to start the game. while Kierston Deal threw one shutout inning and picked up the win. Paytn Monticelli tossed the final two innings, allowing the walk to Anger.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions continue conference play this weekend at Lamar. Friday's doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. with the series finale coming at noon on Saturday.