Heads were high, and eyes were dry.

Kansas University’s softball players took Sunday’s 13-4 flogging by No. 3-ranked Oklahoma in stride.

“It was a tough loss,” KU coach Tracy Bunge said after the home finale at Arrocha Ballpark, “but it wasn’t a bad loss.”

On paper, it may look like a demoralizing defeat, but closer perusal shows the Jayhawks twice made some noise after being down by eight runs.

“People will look at the score and some will think we didn’t play well because we got drilled,” Bunge said. “But it won’t show our fight. Our kids don’t quit, and I’m proud of that.”

Kansas scored all four of its runs in the last three innings.

“They were nervous,” KU’s Kassie Humphreys said of the Sooners. “We’re definitely not a team to give up.”

Humphreys definitely was not the pitcher Sunday she was Saturday. After throwing a complete-game, two-hit shutout against the Big 12 Conference’s highest-scoring team a day earlier, Humphreys was no mystery this time.

KU’s senior right-hander surrendered seven hits and seven runs in 21â3 innings before Bunge replaced her with Valerie George.

“My curve ball wasn’t as sharp,” Humphreys said, “but they were hitting my screwball today. They were turning on it, and I couldn’t keep them off balance.”

Neither Humphreys nor George nor Sarah Vertelka could keep the Sooners in the ballpark. George gave up two home runs, while Humphreys and Vertelka surrendered one apiece.

Nevertheless, Kansas also slammed a pair of home runs – solo shots by Amanda Jobe and Elle Pottorf. It was Pottorf’s team-leading ninth home run of the season, but her first in nearly a month.

Sunday’s lopsided loss ended a five-game win streak, but hardly put a damper on Bunge’s outlook.

“I’m really pleased how we’ve played recently,” she said. “We went through a stretch where our confidence was hurt, but we’ve been a lot sharper lately.”

Humphreys and first baseman Nicole Washburn, the only seniors on the roster, were honored in a pregame ceremony.

“With all the commotion and emotion,” Humphreys said, “it made it tough.”

Added Washburn, a four-year starter at first base: “Absolutely. I cried like a 5-year-old girl, and I’m not that emotional a person.”

Kansas (32-19 overall; 7-9 Big 12) will play a doubleheader at Wichita State on Wednesday night, then conclude the regular season at Iowa State next weekend.