Who would have guessed that the two returning teams from last year’s Women’s College World Series championship game would meet in elimination play?

Oklahoma ace Paige Parker suffered her first loss in Oklahoma City when Washington blanked the Sooners in the opening game of WCWS play. And Florida lost a heartbreaker to UCLA in the second round of the winner’s bracket when the Bruins overcame a four-run deficit to beat the gators. 

Oklahoma Freshman of the Year Jocelyn Alo opened the game with a solo moonshot to left field beyond the bleachers to put the Sooners on the board in the first inning. That home run marked her 30th of the season.

With this SOLO SHOT, @OU_Softball's Jocelyn Alo ties the NCAA DI freshman single season home run record with her 30th! #WCWS pic.twitter.com/eoFR29yi17

— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) June 2, 2018

Aleshia Ocasio came in for relief for Kelly Barnhill in the third inning. Every attempt to rally was shut down by Parker. But the defensive efforts by Jamie Hoover in right field were spectacular.

Exhibit A:

OFF THE WALL! ?

ALL OUT grab by Jaimie Hoover for @GatorsSB! #WCWS pic.twitter.com/kYGd1i34ML

— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) June 2, 2018

Exhibit B:

AGAIN!? Jaimie Hoover with another spectacular grab for @GatorsSB! #WCWS pic.twitter.com/sMtL3udDAc

— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) June 3, 2018

In the bottom of the fifth the Sooners loaded the bases with two outs, Ocasio caught Shay Knighten swinging at the changeup. The pitch bounced in the dirt and caromed off the catcher Janelle Wheaton to score Caleigh Clifton from third to put the Sooners up 2-0.

Paige Parker was lights out in the circle allowing only two hits along with eight strikeouts. The Sooners will have to beat Washington twice tomorrow to advance to the Championship game.