Oklahoma’s Paige Parker struck out 15 batters, and the Sooners defeated Kansas, 4-1, in Big 12 softball Thursday night at Arrocha Ballpark.

Becki Monaghan hit an RBI single in the seventh inning for KU’s only run.

“Being down 4-0 in the seventh, we could’ve easily cashed it in and said ‘Let’s go home,’ but we didn’t do that,” KU coach Megan Smith said. “We fought the last inning. Becki came through with a big hit and the tying run was at the plate, so that’s good momentum to carry over to tomorrow.”

The Jayhawks (21-20 overall, 3-7 Big 12) and Sooners (36-7, 7-0) will meet at 5 p.m. today in the second game of the three-game series.

Oklahoma 010 021 0 — 4 7 0

Kansas 000 000 1 — 1 3 2

W — Paige Parker (14-5). L — Alexis Reid (13-13).

2B — Alissa Dalton, OU; Erin McGinley, KU.