• Mississippi State softball defeated No. 3 seed Oklahoma 11-9 in its first-ever super regional win.
• The Bulldogs scored nine runs in the final two innings to overcome multiple deficits.
• This was Mississippi State’s first victory against Oklahoma in program history.

Considering Mississippi State softball was playing in just its third NCAA Tournament super regional game, few outside of Starkville were optimistic about the Bulldogs’ chances against national power Oklahoma.

However, despite facing the No. 3 seed Sooners (51-9), who have made the Women’s College World Series every time since 2016, the Bulldogs (42-18) managed to pick up their first super regional win. The Bulldogs took down the Sooners 11-9 at Love’s Field in Norman, Oklahoma on May 22.

“Just really love the fight they showed,” said Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts, who was an All-American at Oklahoma. “It was just up and down the lineup. People who started in the lineup, who entered it later in the game, and that’s really been kind of the M.O. for this group all year long. They embrace their roles. They’re ready to come out and attack.”

Mississippi State had to fight back from several multi-run deficits to win. The Bulldogs trailed by four entering the sixth inning and by three entering the seventh. They scored nine runs in the final two innings to earn the win.

“A lot of times this season, our pitchers have had our back, and I thought this time, the offense did a really good job having the pitchers’ backs,” Ricketts said.

It’s the first time Mississippi State has beaten Oklahoma after being 0-11 against the Sooners entering the series. The victory also puts the Bulldogs just one win away from making it to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history.

• Mississippi State softball defeated Oklahoma in a super regional game, overcoming significant odds.
• The Bulldogs scored nine runs in the final two innings to secure an 11-9 comeback victory.
• Before this game, Mississippi State had never won a super regional game or beaten Oklahoma.

By nearly every metric, Mississippi State softball was the underdog in its NCAA Tournament super regional matchup with Oklahoma.

The No. 3 seed Sooners (51-9) hadn’t lost a super regional game since 2015. That is until the Bulldogs (42-18) came back to beat Oklahoma 11-9 on May 22 at Love’s Field in Norman. Mississippi State scored nine runs in the final two innings to win.

The Bulldogs’ win seemed unlikely for a number of reasons. They were playing in just their second super regional while the Sooners were playing their 19th. Mississippi State had never even won a super regional game. Oklahoma had won 18 straight and hadn’t lost one since 2015.

Entering the day, Oklahoma had lost just one game at home this season. Mississippi State was 0-11 against the Sooners all-time, and eight of those losses came under coach Samantha Ricketts, who was an All-American at Oklahoma.

Even Oklahoma’s uniform combination was a recipe for success. The Sooners were 11-0 when wearing white tops and red bottoms.

As if the odds against Mississippi State entering the first game of the best-of-three series weren’t stacked high enough, the statistical improbability of the Bulldogs’ win appeared to grow as the game went on.

According to ESPN, since 2000, the Sooners were 77-0 when leading by four or more runs in a regional or super regional game. Oklahoma led 5-1 in the third inning and 6-2 in the fourth.

This season, Oklahoma was 14-0 when leading after six innings. Mississippi State was 1-15 when trailing after six innings. The Sooners led 9-6 entering the sixth inning thanks to a three-run home run hit by star freshman Kendall Wells.

They were also 42-2 when scoring at least six runs and 31-1 when totaling at least 10 hits. Wells’ home run was hit No. 11.

Still, the Bulldogs found a way to buck all of these trends to take Game 1. Now, Mississippi State has a chance to qualify for the Women’s College World Series for the first time if they recreate this same magic in Game 2 May 23 (noon CT, ESPN).

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 21, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from May 21 drawing

06-08-17-20-29

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from May 21 drawing

Midday: 6-5-2, FB: 1

Evening: 4-7-5, FB: 7

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from May 21 drawing

Midday: 3-9-8-8, FB: 1

Evening: 2-9-4-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 21 drawing

Midday: 05

Evening: 05

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

• Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
• Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
• Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
• Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).