The Oklahoma Sooners softball team came into Sunday’s game against the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns riding a 71-game winning streak, the longest of any program in NCAA softball history. But as the saying goes, streaks are made to be broken. And Oklahoma saw their streak come to an end in a massive upset.
On paper, this matchup looked like it would be a cakewalk for Oklahoma. The Ragin’ Cajuns hadn’t exactly had the best start to the season, coming into the game with a 9-12 record, which is actually their worst start to a year in program history.
Despite this, Louisiana Lafayette was able to keep this game close throughout and ultimately came through when it mattered most.
After seven innings, the two teams were tied at 4-4, forcing the game to extra innings. In the eighth inning, the Ragin’ Cajuns came through with three runs that got started with this RBI single from first baseman Samantha Graeter. Ultimately, this would be the difference in the game, coming away with a 7-5 victory.
THE RAGIN' CAJUNS DO IT
Louisiana upsets No. 1 Oklahoma ending their 71-game win streak. The final score: 7-5!#NCAASoftball x 🎥 ESPN+ / @RaginCajunsSB pic.twitter.com/N5iMxzLjPU
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) March 3, 2024
To come away with an upset win on the road against a team like Oklahoma is nothing short of remarkable. And fans certainly took notice of the streak finally coming to an end, taking to social media to offer their reaction to the game.
STREAK OVER 😳
Oklahoma's 71-game winning streak is snapped by @RaginCajunsSB pic.twitter.com/adtcJDmllf
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) March 3, 2024
THE CAJUNS HAVE DONE IT!
Louisiana Softball snaps Oklahoma’s 71-game win streak in an extra-innings thriller 7-5. @ESPN_SWLA
— Matt Miguez (@MiguezMatt) March 3, 2024
What a streak!
One game…
Losses are enviable even with perfect as the standard. It’s what this team takes from this game, it’s how they pass through this which separates the average from the elite.
Oklahoma is elite, bank it.
⭐️ 71 ⭐️
— MarkWorley🏈🥎⚾️🏀⚽️🏌🏻♀️🎾🤸🏼♂️🏐🤼♂️🚣🏻♀️ (@OUSooner82) March 3, 2024
The 71-game winning streak is broken. Such a nail biter as Louisiana takes down Oklahoma. But, the Sooners are a team that will come back with revenge 🥎
— Faith Cain (@FaithCainTV) March 3, 2024
And the streak comes to an end…
Time to start a new one! https://t.co/SeD9iFAD83
— Sidelines – Oklahoma (@SSN_Oklahoma) March 3, 2024
Oklahoma certainly has nothing to be ashamed of with the loss. They certainly still profile to be the overwhelming favorite to win a National Championship at the end of the year. Chances are, this loss is merely a blip on the radar.
Regardless, it is certainly significant considering the streak ended up being the third-longest from any team in any sport in NCAA history.
Chances are it will be quite some time until we see another program rack off this many wins in a row. And for that, Oklahoma should certainly be very proud of their historic streak.
