ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – The East Central University softball team had a strong day one against Ouachita Baptist, sweeping the first two games of the Great American Conference series.  The Tigers (16-10, 7-7 GAC) first claimed a 3-0 shutout win and then a 2-1 victory in game two.

ECU hit .264 for the day as a team and held Ouachita (10-16, 4-10 GAC) to a .152 mark.  Senior Hayley Hyatt was one of three players to hit .500 or better, with a .667 mark and two hits.  Sophomore Ellanee Allison added a .600 average, with three hits, one run and three RBIs.

The Tigers used a total of three pitchers, with senior Kelbie Crelia and freshman Karlie Milburn each picking up a win.  Crelia threw a complete-game shutout in game one, allowing just two hits and striking out one.  Milburn started game two, throwing the first four innings, allowing four hits and a run and striking out one.

Freshman Lindsae Wade picked up the save in game two, throwing the final three innings, striking out two and allowing a hit and no runs.

ECU 3, Ouachita 0
The Tigers came out ready to play in the first inning, scoring two runs.  After the first out, junior Claresha Clemmons reached due to an error and was sent home when sophomore Ellanee Allison doubled to right center.  Sophomore Mariah Ewy sent the second run home on a single to right center for the 2-0 advantage.

Both teams picked up the defense and held each other scoreless until the top of the seventh.  After an out was recorded, junior Alissa Taylor singled, Clemons was walked and sophomore Breecia Crawford singled to load the bases.  That allowed Allison to earn an RBI with a single to right field and increase the lead to 3-0.

Ouachita got a runner on base in the bottom of the inning, but the Tigers defense held on for the shutout win.

ECU 2, Ouachita 1
The teams held each other scoreless for the first two innings before ECU gained a 1-0 advantage.

Freshman Lindsae Walker started the inning with a single up the middle.  Clemons was hit by a pitch and Crawford walked to load the bases.  That allowed a run to score when Allison was hit by a pitch.

The Tigers added to their lead in the fourth inning, making it 2-0.  Sophomore Caitlin Paolini started things with a single to right field and was sent to second on sacrifice bunt by redshirt sophomore Aundrea Hamric.  That put her in scoring position when freshman Catherine Barrera doubled to left center.

Ouachita finally got on the scoreboard for the day on a home run in the bottom of the fourth for the 2-1 score.