Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BENTONVILLE, ARK. – The East Central University softball team split its opening games of the 8-State Classic hosted by Arkansas-Monticello.  ECU first fell 3-7 to Fort Hays State and then defeated Drury 11-1.

The Lady Tigers (6-4) were led by sophomore Lauren Reeves, who tallied four hits, five RBIs and scored three runs.  Reeves hit .571 for the day, starting in both games.  Junior Chelsea Patterson also added a .571 batting average, with four hits and one run scored.

Junior Brianna Nunley earned a win in the circle, with a 1.40 ERA, four hits and one run allowed.  She allowed the Panthers to hit at a .211 pace in the complete game with six strikeouts.

ECU will hit the field again Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11:30 a.m. to face Minnesota State Mankato.  The Lady Tigers will also face Nebraska-Kearney (1:30 p.m.) and Oklahoma Panhandle State (3:30 p.m.), Sunday, Feb. 16.

Game 2 – ECU 11, Drury 1
The Lady Tigers started the scoring in the top of the first, with three runs.  After the first out was recorded, Reeves reached on an error.  Sophomore Jordynn VanPelt sent her to third with a double and both were batted around when junior Lacey Williams hit a home run.

ECU added two more runs in the top of the fourth for a 5-0 lead.  Junior Samantha McGraw reached on an error and juniors Kaile Marcum and Chelsea Patterson each added singles to load the bases.  Reeves then added two RBIs to her daily total with a single.

Drury scored its lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 5-1.

The Lady Tigers added six more runs in the top of the fifth to pull away in the game.  Suydam started things off with a single and was sent home with McGraw doubles. 

Marcum scored the next run on a single and Patterson then loaded the bases with a single.  One run scored when Reeves singled and three more crossed the plate on a double by sophomore Sydney Dow for the 11-1 final.

Game 1 – Fort Hays State 7, ECU 3
ECU fell behind early, after allowing FHSU to score a run in the top of the first.

The Lady Tigers quickly tied the game at one in the bottom of the second on a solo home run to right center by Dow.

Fort Hays State took over in the top of the third inning, with four runs for a 1-5 advantage.

ECU cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fourth with two runs.  After the first out sophomore Autumn Suydam hit a single bunt and was sent around on a home run to left field by Reeves.

However, FHSU added two more runs in the top of the fifth to earn the 3-7 final.