The dream of a Women’s College World Series championship ended for former Baler shortstop Jessica Vest and Oklahoma on Wednesday, as Alabama won the third game of the best-of-three series 5-4.
Things looked good for Vest and the Sooners (54-10) early when they held a 3-0 lead after three innings. But when rain started to fall, Oklahoma pitcher Keilani Ricketts started to struggle with control.
Alabama (60-8) struck for four runs in the fourth inning to take control of the game. The Crimson Tide took the lead for good on a throwing error by Vest, who started every World Series game at shortstop.
Vest did not bat in the game, but pinch ran in the fourth inning.
She finished her freshman year at Oklahoma with a .111 batting average. She was used mostly as a defensive specialist.
It was the first softball championship for Alabama and the Southeastern Conference.
The Sooners were aiming for their second championship and first since 2000. The loss ends the Sooners 12-game winning streak.
The game was delayed twice because of weather.
Look for more soon.
