COLUMBUS, Ga. – [Bracket | Schedule | Watch] For the first time in the 2025 NAIA Softball World Series, the Oklahoma City Stars allowed a run, but key hitting late pushes OCU into the title game tomorrow evening with a 3-1 win.

The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Oklahoma City’s Rally Radacy broke the deadlock with a single to shortstop, allowing Analise Rayburn to score and put the team ahead 1-0. However, Eastern Oregon quickly responded in the bottom of the fourth with Emily Barry hitting a home run to left field, leveling the score at 1-1.

The decisive moment came in the fifth inning when Iliana Ashford of Oklahoma City delivered a crucial two-RBI single to right field. This hit brought Tiffany Paul and Grace Pollon home, giving Oklahoma City a 3-1 lead. The runs scored by Pollon were unearned, as Eastern Oregon’s defense faltered with multiple errors throughout the game.

Oklahoma City:
– Emersen Heron pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out five batters in seven innings.
– Iliana Ashford’s two-RBI single was pivotal in securing the win.
– Paul and Rayburn contributed with key runs, while Radacy added an RBI.

Eastern Oregon:
– Barry stood out with a solo home run, providing the team’s only score.
– Kylie Parsons, despite taking the loss, went for six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

The win improved Oklahoma City’s record to 53-9, with a chance at claiming the program’s 12th Red Banner tomorrow evening. Eastern Oregon falls to 38-10 as they will take on the winner of Southern Oregon vs. Georgia Gwinnett today at 4 p.m. ET for a chance to play in championship Wednesday.