OKLAHOMA CITY ? Cat Osterman had 18 strikeouts to break the Women’s College World Series record for a seven-inning game in Texas’ 2-0 victory over Arizona State on Thursday in the opening round of the eight-team tournament.

Osterman (38-2) allowed one hit – Bianca Cruz’s second-inning single – and did not walk a batter. After Cruz’s hit, Osterman retired the final 18 batters.

The 6-foot-2 senior left-hander broke the World Series strikeout record for a regulation game of 17 that she shared with Northwestern’s Lisa Ishikawa. Ishikawa set the record in a 1-0 victory over Adelphi in 1984, and Osterman matched it twice – in a 1-0 victory over California in 2003 and a 3-0 victory over Alabama last year.

The overall World Series record is 20 by UCLA’s Debbie Doom in a 2-1, 13-inning victory over Oklahoma State in 1982. Osterman had 19 in a 1-0, 11-inning victory over Arizona last year.

Osterman, who has struck out a career-high 24 twice, has 608 strikeouts this season to push her NCAA-record total to 2,248. She also has 85 shutouts.

Texas (55-7) advanced to play Arizona tonight.

Northwestern 6, Alabama 5, 10 innings

Darcy Sengewald scored the winning run for Northwestern in the bottom of the 10th inning when the ball went through Alabama center fielder Brittany Rogers’ legs after Tammy Williams’ single up the middle.

Arizona 3, Oregon State 2

Kristie Fox singled in Caitlin Lowe in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Arizona past Oregon State.