If anything, the No. 24 Kansas University softball team had an epiphany of sorts following three hours of soggy softball Saturday.

“If our team had any doubt that they are the caliber of team that can compete with anybody in the country,” KU coach Tracy Bunge said, “they now know it.”

Kansas hung tight with one of college softball’s premier teams for most of the game, but, like many Big 12 Conference softball games, one big hit made a big difference in Oklahoma’s 3-1 victory over Kansas at Jayhawk Field.

KU’s home opener, after 24 games on the road, was hampered by a rain delay in the fourth inning lasting more than an hour. By then, all the scoring had taken place, with Oklahoma tacking on its insurance run just before the rain poured.

At first, though, it was the Jayhawks who came with offensive punch.

Kansas (18-7 overall, 0-3 Big 12) shook Sooner pitcher Kami Keiter immediately. Sophomore Lindsey Weinstein led off the first inning by crunching a double in the gap, and later scored when freshman Jessica Moppin dropped a perfectly placed double of her own in front of OU right fielder Kristin Vesely near the foul line.

KU didn’t score again, and the lead didn’t hold up, but it was a big run regardless.

“It’s really important,” Moppin said. “It kind of takes them down a level.”

If it did, it was only temporary. Oklahoma (26-4, 2-1) tacked on two decisive runs in the third inning off an opposite-field home run by center fielder Erin Evans.

The Sooners added an unearned run in the fourth, but otherwise, KU pitcher Kara Pierce was effective against one of the best teams in the nation.

“Kara got in and out of trouble a lot of times,” Bunge said. “She threw the ball fairly well, but she wasn’t as sharp as I’ve seen her. I know she’ll get better.”

Lindsey Weinstein, left, is congratulated by Kansas University teammates after scoring a run in the first inning. Oklahoma scored three unanswered runs, though, as the Sooners knocked off the Jayhawks, 3-1, Saturday at Jayhawk Field.

Kansas threatened to draw closer several times, but never could get over the hump. Twice, the Jayhawks stranded runners at third base, but the big, back-breaking hit was the missing ingredient.

“That’s the only difference in this ball game,” Bunge said. “They got one big hit, and we didn’t.”

Kansas managed just four hits off Keiter, who improved to 16-1 with the victory. Pierce suffered the loss, dropping her record to 11-5.

Kansas will get its chance at redemption today. The two teams will meet at 1 p.m. today at Jayhawk Field to wrap up the two-game series.

Oklahoma 3, Kansas 1

Oklahoma 002 100 0 — 3 8 0

Kansas 100 000 0 — 1 4 2

W–Kami Keiter (16-1). L–Kara Pierce (11-5).

HR–Oklahoma: Erin Evans (3).

KU highlights: Jessica Moppin 1-for-2, 2B, RBI; Lindsey Weinstein 1-for-4, 2B, R.