Controversial call highlights ending of Oklahoma State-Florida in Women's College World Series

After Oklahoma State defeated Florida by a score of 2-0 in the Women’s College World Series on Saturday evening, many were left questioning a seventh inning call that may have drastically impacted the game. Gators outfielder Katie Kistler was the second to last player to bat in the inning and appeared to be hit by a pitch that would have advanced her to first base.

However, umpires ruled that the ball hit Kistler’s bat before it made contact with her, thus making it a foul ball. Some have argued the ball should have then been ruled a hit instead of a foul as a result. Kistler did attempt to run to first base after the play and would have been ruled safe if that were the case.

After the drama had been sorted, Kistler grounded out to second base for the second out of the inning. Oklahoma State then secured the final out during the very next at bat as Florida’s Bryn Thomas fouled out to end the game. The Cowgirls now have a day off before moving on to face either Arizona or Texas on Sunday.

Oklahoma State allowed just three hits in the game as Kelly Maxwell pitched all seven innings to earn the victory. She also struck out nine batters and improved her season record to 21-4. Julia Cottril led the Cowgirls with three hits in three at bats on the day to go along with an RBI. No Gators player finished with more than one hit.

The loss was the first suffered for Florida in the Women’s College World Series after the Gators took out Oregon State on Saturday. The Beavers later became the second team eliminated after dropping a second game to Arizona on Friday. Florida now moves on to UCLA in an elimination game at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.