Goodwell, Okla. – The Oklahoma Panhandle State University softball team dropped a pair of Sooner Athletic Conference games to the NAIA's No. 2-ranked team in the nation, Oklahoma City University at the Aggie Softball Field.  The Aggies (15-11, 6-8 SAC), fell to the Stars (28-3, 10-2 SAC) by scores of 11-2 and 12-0.
 
Both games were halted after five innings by the run rule.
 
 In the first contest of the afternoon, the Aggies found themselves ahead of OCU after two innings, thanks to some patience at the plate. Jena Konieczka drew a walk to open the inning and, with one out, catcher Haley Neal had an infield single with Konieczka stopping at second. Chrislyn Dovers laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position.
 
That's where OPSU's discernment at the plate began to pay dividends, as Abby Gregory also drew a walk to load the bases. Stars' starter Jaden Shores continued to struggle, walking Jewell Lee to force in a run and even the score. Shores then went to 2-0 on Karah Ortiz when she was lifted in favor of Kylie Dodson. Dodson completed the walk to Ortiz – which was charged to Shores – that put the Aggies ahead, 2-1.
 
But the advantage was short-lived, as OCU erupted for eight runs in the top of the third and two more in the top of the fourth to seal the win.
 
Kaylor Battiest (5-5) took the loss for OPSU, going the distance. Battiest struck out four, but issued six walks.
 
Neal had the hot bat versus the Stars, going 3-for-3 and scoring a run. Ortiz was 1-for-1 and drew two walks.
 
Game two was all Stars, as the visitors kept the Panhandle bats at bay. Kayli Grove collected two (2-for-2) of her team's five hits in the second game. She also had the Aggies' only extra-base hit with a one-out double in the second frame.
 
Senior pitcher Lindsay Jacobs (5-5) absorbed the loss for OPSU, going all five innings.
 
Panhandle State's tough stretch of games continues on Wednesday (March 27), as the team travels to Chickasha, Okla., to face the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA, the University of Science and Arts (Oklahoma) for a doubleheader.