SOONER WIRE Everything happens a first time. But few thought the No. 2 Oklahoma softball team would suffer such a fate this early in the season.

OU dropped its series finale against No. 10 Tennessee on Sunday, 5-3 and dropped a Southeastern Conference series for the first time in school history. The Sooners had beaten South Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri in its first three SEC sets.

One big inning from the Volunteers is all it took.

Tennessee responded to Oklahoma’s three runs in the bottom of the third with five of its own in the top of fourth. And they all came with two outs. Oklahoma starter Sam Landry retired the first two hitters of the frame before giving up a walk, a single and another walk to load the bases. Laura Mealer knocked in two with a double and Ella Dodge followed three pitches later, planting a home run over the right field fence.

Only two Sooners reached base in OU’s final four innings at-bat as they never truly threatened a rally. Tennessee starter Karlyn Pickens, who last week set an NCAA record for fastest pitch when she threw a 78.3 milesper- hour fastball against Arkansas, took a bit to find her rhythm, but finished the game allowing three runs on four hits and three walks and a hit batter while striking out six.

Oklahoma simply couldn’t find the big hit. The Sooners’ only extrabase knock came from a Kasidi Pickering three-run double in the third inning. Pickens retired 15 of the next 17 batters she faced.

“It’s humbling, but we know we’re not good enough,” Coach Gasso said. “We’re winning, but we’re still not good enough.”

Landry took the loss for OU as she gave up five runs on four hits and two walks while also striking out six. She allowed a home run and a double.

“This did not feel good watching this happen on our own field,” Gasso said. “But this is what this young team has to learn as we go forward.”

The Sooners will get back to things with a double-header Friday at Love Field against St. Thomas from the Summit League and Central Florida from the Big 12. UCF and OU will meet again on Saturday in the final game in the Oktana Invitational.