DURANT, OKLA. – The East Central University softball team split a doubleheader with rival Southeastern Oklahoma State in Great American Conference action.  The Tigers (16-21, 13-13 GAC) fell 3-8 in the opening game of the day and then took a 2-1 decision in the nightcap.

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ECU was led by senior Jordynn VanPelt, who hit .400 for the day, with one run, two hits and two RBIs.  Freshman Madison Thompson and senior Lauren Reeves hit .333 for the day, with two hits each.

Senior Lacey Paulk earned the win in the circle, with a complete game.  Paulk allowed seven hits and one run, while striking out six and allowing just two walks.

The Tigers will now get ready for a four-game GAC series against Oklahoma Baptist, April 1-2 at Tiger Field.  Doubleheaders are set for each day, with Friday's starting at 2 p.m. and Saturday's at noon.

East Central 2, Southeastern 1
The second game saw the Tigers jump out to an early 2-0 lead after the top of the first.  Senior Taylor Davis led off the game by drawing a walk and was sent to second on a sacrifice bunt by Suydam.  VanPelt then earned two RBIs with a home run to center.

The Savage Storm cut the deficit in half in the third inning for a 2-1 score.

Pitching and strong defense were the keys throughout the game, as both teams were able to get a few runners on base most innings, but nothing past second.  That included a threat from Southeastern in the fifth, but a key double-play from short to first to third kept runs from scoring.

The teams went into the bottom of the seventh with ECU leads 2-1 and despite a two-out double by Southeastern, the Tigers held on for the victory.

Southeastern 8, East Central 3
The  Savage Storm started the scoring early in game one of the day, scoring two runs in the first inning and then added a run in both the second and third for a 0-4 lead.

The Tigers cut into the deficit in the fourth, with a single run.  After the first out, Reeves singled and after the second out Thompson added a single.  Sophomore Bre'Anna Davis earned the RBI with a single through the left side.
However, Southeastern countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning for a 1-7 advantage.

Senior Autumn Suydam added another run for ECU with a solo home run in the fifth (2-7) and Thompson added a home run the sixth for a 3-7 score.

The Savage Storm finished the scoring with a run in the bottom of the sixth for the 3-8 final.