East Central University Athletics

BENTONVILLE, ARK. – It took two championship games, but the East Central University softball team earned the Great American Conference automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament with a 5-1 win over Henderson State.

The Tigers (32-14) were led by senior Samantha McGraw, who hit. 286 for the day, but recorded five put outs and nine assisted outs.  McGraw was one of four players named to the GAC All-Tournament Team, with junior Autumn Suydam, junior Taylor Davis and junior Lauren Reeves also joining her and the MVP junior Lacey Paulk on the 13 member team.

Paulk threw the second game of the day, allowing eight hits and just one run.  The earned run was the lone run she allowed in three appearances in the tournament, where she picked up two wins and a save.

ECU will now have to wait until Monday, May 2 at 10 a.m. to find out where they will head for the NCAA Central Regional.