OKLAHOMA CITY – An early lead didn't hold up for Oklahoma City and the Stars must now battle for three consecutive wins after a 5-3 loss to Missouri Baptist in the NAIA Softball Opening Round on Tuesday.
 
Tara Hoehner ripped a two-run home run and Analise Rayburn followed for back-to-back home runs for a 3-0 first-inning lead.
 
The Spartans countered with single runs in the first and third before taking a 4-3 lead with two runs in the fifth. Missouri Baptist added an insurance run in the sixth.
 
OCU had five hits, including two by Hoehner, but MBU hurler Taylor Whitehead kept the Stars off the scoreboard over the final six innings to move to 21-2 on the season.
 
Emersen Heron took the loss for the Stars.
 
OCU plays an elimination game at 1 p.m. on Wednesday against Morningside or William Carey. The winner of that 1 p.m. game will play Missouri Baptist at 4 p.m. To win the tournament, OCU would need to win twice on Wednesday and the 'if necessary' game on Thursday at 1 p.m.