An unstoppable force meeting an immovable object is a hypothetical that has puzzled physicists since the beginning of time. Florida and Oklahoma gave a glimpse into what that might look like Monday night.
In a 17-inning, five-and-a-half-hour marathon, the Sooners emerged victorious over the Gators with a three-run home run off the bat of Shay Knighten. It was more back and forth than a French Open volley throughout the night, with a final score of 7-5. It is the longest game in softball's College World Series history.
Nicole Mendes, the Sooners' lead off hitter, had the most at-bats with eight. Florida actually had a pitcher, Kelly Barnhill, re-enter the game after a seven-inning start. It was ultimately Barnhill who gave up the winning home run.
Florida was in a position to continue the game, putting the tying run on base in the bottom of the 17th, but Oklahoma got out of the jam.
The game was met with excitement from the college softball world, and Game 2 will be played Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
#WCWS by the time this game ends pic.twitter.com/QQBzeJmu97
— Nicholette Neilson (@Nicholette121) June 6, 2017
It was a thriller in OKC! Relive all the moments from the longest game in #WCWS finals history. pic.twitter.com/tUc2P7dDS3
— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) June 6, 2017