BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The East Central University softball team picked up two wins in the final day of the UAM 8-State Classic, moving to 4-2 for the weekend and 8-3 for the season.  ECU first defeated Fort Hays State 6-0 and then downed Northeastern State 9-3.

The Tigers were led by junior Alissa Taylor, who earned a .857 batting average, two runs, six hits and four RBIs.  ECU also saw double-hit days from six other players, with two also netting two RBIs.

Senior Kelbie Crelia saw action in both games, throwing a complete game one and the final inning of game two.  Crelia allowed two hits and zero runs, while striking out six.  Freshman Karlie Milburn added a win in the second game, with seven hits and three runs allowed and four Ks to her credit.

The Tigers will now get ready for the first Great American Conference games of the 2017 season and the first games at home when Southern Arkansas comes to Ada for a four-game series Feb. 24-25.

ECU 6, Fort Hays State 0
The teams played strong defense through the first two innings, before ECU took control of the game with a five-run third.  The Tigers scored the runs on five hits and an error.  The opening batter reached due to an error before Taylor hit her first home run with ECU for the 2-0 lead.

Junior Claresha Clemmons, freshman Nikki Herrin and sophomore Breecia Crawford followed with singles to load the bases, which allowed sophomore Mariah Ewy to earn an RBI with a sacrifice fly.  Redshirt sophomore Aundrea Hamric was walked to reload the basses.  That allowed sophomore Madison Thompson to earn an RBI with a single.  Freshman Jaclyn Willis sent the final run home on a fielder's choice.

The Tigers added a final run in the fourth on two hits for the 6-0 lead.

ECU then held strong though the final three innings on defense to claim the 6-0 victory.

ECU 9, Northeastern State 3
The Riverhawks were the first to get on the scoreboard, with two runs in the top of the third inning.

ECU responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning.  Senior Hayley Hyatt and freshman Catherine Barrera both singled to start the inning and were sent to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Willis.  Taylor then added two more RBIs to her day's total with a double.  Clemons, Thompson and sophomore Ellanee Allison all earned RBIs with singles to give the Tigers a 5-2 advantage.

ECU's defense held strong through the next three innings, while adding two runs in the fourth and two in the sixth for a 9-2 lead.  The runs were scored due to four hits and three errors by NSU.

The Riverhawks tried to make a push in the top of the seventh, but were only able to plate one run for the 9-3 final.