Softball drops tight one with Oklahoma City

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Kelli Fisher twirled a strong game but it wasn't enough as the 22^nd-ranked Bellevue University softball team ran into a buzz saw by the name of Abby Meador, falling to No. 6 Oklahoma City, 3-0 on Friday afternoon.

Bellevue falls to 0-2 while Oklahoma City improves to 15-0 on the year.

The Bruins managed just two hits on the afternoon, a double by Kayla Young and a pinch-hit single by Emily Miller.

OKCU struck first in the fourth inning. Samantha Stallbaumer singled to lead off the inning and stole second ahead of Kali Pugh's one-out walk. A groundout by Jaci Smith advanced the runners to second and third before Stallbaumer came in on a wild pitch to provide the Stars a 1-0 advantage and all the offense they would need.

Oklahoma City tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the seventh for good measure. Madison Ellis led off the frame with a solo home run to center field. Meador followed by reaching on an error and taking second on a groundout by Shelbi Legg. Kyndra Holasek then doubled to give the Stars a 3-0 edge.

Fisher took the loss in the circle for the Bruins, falling to 0-2 on the year despite a solid line. She limited a potent OKCU offense to just three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out six. The Stars had been averaging better than 10 runs per game entering the weekend.

Meador picked up the win for OKCU to improve to 6-0 on the year while lowering her ERA to 0.83 in 33.2 innings of work.

Bellevue will be back in action later today with a 5 p.m. game against #23 Lindenwood-Belleville.