The Sam Houston State baseball team dropped the opening game of a three-game series to Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. on Friday night.

The Kats (22-21), rallied for a pair of runs in the seventh to tie the game at two, but a homer for the No. 23-ranked Sooners in the bottom half of the frame gave OU the 3-2 win in the opener.

Andrew Godail once again turned in a great start, going seven innings allowing all three runs while striking out four. Alex Bisacca worked a scoreless inning in relief.

After allowing runs in the first and fourth the Kats got on the board in the top of the seventh.

A two-out walk to nine-hole hitter and catcher Collin Yelich got things started and an error kept the inning alive. Center fielder Colt Atwood loaded the bases on a slow-grounder to short and designated hitter Hayden Simerly tied the game with a two-run base knock up the middle.

Trailing 3-2 in the ninth, the Kats nearly pulled off a come back. A bunt-single up the third base line by pinch-hitter Jake MacWilliam for Sam Houston started against Evans in the ninth. He got the next man looking and then a walk moved the potential game-tying run into scoring position. A single pounded through the left-side by Simerly loaded the bases, but Evans came back for another called strike three and a harmless grounder to third to record his sixth save of the season.

The two teams will play again Saturday at 2 p.m. and the game will be televised live on Fox College Sports Central.