BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The East Central University softball team returned to action after a weekend off and split its first two games of the UAM 8-State Classic.  The Tigers first claimed a 5-1 win over Wayne State (Neb.) and then fell 2-11 (5) to Missouri-St. Louis.

ECU was led by freshman Catherine Barrera who tallied a.500 average, two runs, three hits and three RBIs.  Sophomore Breecia Crawford added a .400 average, two hits, a run and an RBI.

Senior Kelbie Crelia claimed the win in the opening game, throwing the first four innings, allowing five hits and no runs and striking out one.

The Tigers will continue at the event, Feb. 18-19 with games against William Jewell (11 a.m.) and Washburn (1 p.m.) Saturday and Fort Hays State (1 p.m.) and Northeastern State (3 p.m) Sunday.

ECU 5, Wayne State 1
ECU got all its scoring done in the first game of the day in the bottom of the second inning.  Crawford got things going with a single to the pitcher, while sophomore Ellanee Allison reached on an error that sent Crawford to third.  Redshirt sophomore Aundrea Hamric was walked to load the bases, and sophomore Mariah Ewy followed with a walk to send a run home.

Barrera kept the inning alive with a two-out single that scored two runs.  Junior Claresha Clemons added an RBI with a single to right for the 5-0 advantage.

The Tigers kept the Wildcats off the board until the top of the fifth inning, when they tallied a single run for the 5-1 score.

UMSL 11, ECU 2 (5)
ECU scored in the top of the first inning on singles from Barrera and Crawford.

The 1-0 lead was short-lived, as the Tritons earned four runs on three hits in the bottom of the first.

UMSL added six runs in the bottom of the second and a run in the third for a 1-11 advantage.

The Tigers were able to earn one more run in the top of the fifth for the 2-11 final.  Redshirt sophomore Angel Johnson singled up the middle and was sent home when Barrera doubled to left field.