DURANT, OKLA. – The East Central University softball team picked up two more wins at the Southeastern Regional Invitational, to start the 2017 season with a 5-1 record in the opening weekend of action.  The Tigers first defeated St. Edward's 14-1 (5) and then earned a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Missouri Southern State.

The Tigers were led by sophomore Breecia Crawford, who tallied a .600 batting average, including a walk-off single to win the final game of the day.  Crawford totaled three hits, two runs and two RBIs.  junior Alissa Taylor added a .571 average, with four hits, a run and an RBI.

Freshman Caitlin Kneblik and freshman Karlie Milburn each picked up a win in the circle.  Kneblik threw the first four innings of game one, allowing one run and four hits.  Milburn finished the first game and threw a complete second game for ECU.  She allowed six hits and one run, earning a 1.12 ERA.

ECU 14, St. Edward's 1 (5)
The Tigers got on the scoreboard early, with three runs in the second innings.  Crawford and sophomore Caitlin Paolini both singles and Kneblik was walked to load the bases. An out was recorded at home on a fielder's choice to keep the bases loaded.  Freshman Catherine Barrera then scored all three runs with a triple to right field.

The Hilltoppers (2-3) were able to get a single run in the fourth due to an error.

However, in the top of the fifth, ECU opened up the bats and tallied 11 runs on seven hits and four errors by SEU.  The Tigers saw a double by Taylor and singles from freshman Jaclyn Willis, sophomore Ellanee Allison, Crawford, redshirt sophomore Aundrea Hamric and sophomore Kasey Moore.

ECU 2, Missouri Southern 1
The Lions wasted no time scoring, earning their lone run of the game in the top of the first inning.

The teams then settled in for a defensive battle through the top of the seventh inning.  Both teams had runners in scoring position throughout the game, but were unable to get a run across the plate.

The Tigers then went to work in the bottom of the seventh.  Sophomore Mariah Ewy started the inning with a single to center and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Barrera.  Junior Claresha Clemons followed with a single and Taylor earned the first RBI with a single through the left side.  The next out was recorded on a fly out, by both runners advanced to second and third.  That left things up to Crawford, who hit a walk-off single for the 2-1 final.