The Mississippi State softball team made a mighty comeback on Friday to notch the program’s first win in a super regional.
The No. 20 Bulldogs trailed at No. 2 Oklahoma, 6-2, in the sixth inning before exploding for nine runs in the final two innings to seal an 11-9 win. Although conference counterparts, it was the first time the two teams had met this season – and the first time Mississippi State has ever beaten Oklahoma through 11 games all-time.
𝐖𝐨𝐧. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐞.#HailState pic.twitter.com/9kRxHdnN6K
— Mississippi State Softball (@HailStateSB) May 22, 2026
Mississippi State (42-18) got on the board first in the top of the third inning with a Tatum Silva RBI single. Oklahoma (51-9) quickly took a 5-1 lead before a Des Rivera home run to left field in the top of the fourth made the score 5-2.
With the Sooners on top 6-2 going into the sixth inning, the Bulldog bats came alive. Nadia Barbary set the comeback in motion with an RBI single to left field. A fielding error then allowed Kiara Sells to score before a passed ball brought Barbary in. Morgan Bernardini singled up the middle to knot the game at 6-6.
Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells responded with a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth, briefly shifting momentum back to the Sooners.
But Mississippi State answered again in the seventh, scoring five runs. Abby Richardson started the rally with a double to left center that drove in a run. Xiane Romero singled through the right side to add another, and Bernardini drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 9-9. Silva then delivered a two-run single to put Mississippi State ahead 11-9.
Delainey Everett (2-1) shut out the Sooners in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win. Taking the loss for Oklahoma was Audrey Lowry (22-4).
Game two is scheduled for Saturday at noon CT, with Sunday reserved for an if-needed game. If Mississippi State wins again, it will advance to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history.
