RUSSELLVILLE, ARK. – The East Central University softball team fell to No. 13 Arkansas Tech at Chartwells Women's Sports Complex.  The Tigers (5-9, 2-4 GAC) fell 1-3 in the opening game and then 9-12 in the night cap.

ECU was led by junior Autumn Suydam, with a .571 batting average on four hits and two runs scored.  Senior Samantha McGraw added a .429 average, with three hits, a grand slam and six RBIs.

Junior Marissa Shaffer threw 5.1 innings to lead the Tigers pitching staff.  She struck out two and allowed three earned runs in two appearances.

ECU and the Golden Suns (8-0, 2-0 GAC) will wrap up the series, Saturday, Feb. 28 starting at noon.

Game 1 – No. 13 ATU 3, ECU 1
The Golden Suns were the first to get on the scoreboard, with a three-run third inning.

The Tigers responded in the top of the fourth, but only cut the deficit to two (1-3).  After the first two outs of the inning, junior Autumn Suydam got on base with a single to right field.  Junior Lauren Reeves followed with a double to right to score the run.

ECU had more chances to score, but were unable to get the runs across the plate and fell 1-3.

Game 2 – ATU 12, ECU 9
The Tigers came out strong in the second game earning four runs in the top of the first inning.  Suydam led off with a single to left.  After an out, senior Lacey Williams-Wenholm and junior Taylor Davis both drew walks to load the bases.  That set up McGraw to earn four RBIs with a grand slam to left field.

ECU added three more runs in the top of the third to take a7-0 lead.  Senior Kaile Marcum started the inning with a single through the right side and Davis and junior Jordynn VanPelt were both walked to load the bases.  McGraw then earned two more RBIs with a single down the right field line.  The final run was scored when Reeves singled to center field.

The Golden Suns cut the advantage to two with a five run third inning and a 7-5 score.

The Tigers added a run in the top of the fifth after a single by Williams-Wenholm and a double from Davis for an 8-5 lead.

ATU then took control of the game with two runs in the fifth and another five-run inning in the sixth to garner an 8-12 advantage.

The Tigers went into the seventh ready to fight and were able to add one run to the scoreboard, but it wasn't enough and they fell 9-12.  The run scored after the bases were loaded on a single by Suydam and walks from Williams-Wenholm and Davis.  VanPelt then hit into a fielder's choice that cut the run off at home, but a single from McGraw scored the final run a batter later.