EDMOND, OKLA. – The East Central University softball team picked up two non-conference wins in the first day of action at the Central Oklahoma/Oklahoma Christian Festival.  The Tigers first defeated Northeastern State 5-1 at Oklahoma Christian and then picked up a 2-1 victory over Rogers State at Central Oklahoma.

The Tigers (4-4) had four players hit .500 or better for the day, with sophomore Catherine Barrera leading the way with a .667 average, four hits and two runs.  Senior Alissa Taylor tallied two of ECU's six RBIs for the day, while adding a hit.

The Tigers used three pitchers in the circle, with freshman Angel Stoker and sophomore Caitlin Kneblik claiming the wins.  Stoker threw a complete game, allowing three hits and a run, while striking out one.  Kneblik finished the second game, allowing no hits or runs.

ECU was schedule to wrap up the UCO/OC Festival, Saturday, Feb. 10 with games against Washburn and the Bronchos, but the games were canceled due to expected inclement weather.  The Tigers will now have a week off before starting the Great American Conference portion of the season, Feb. 23-24 at Southern Arkansas.

East Central 5, Northeastern State 1
The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning.  Barrera started the game with a double to left center, was advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Breecia Crawford and scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor.

The scored remained the same until the sixth inning.  In the top of the inning, the Riverhawks (3-4) earned a run to tie the game at one.

However, ECU responded in the bottom of the inning to regain a 5-1 advantage.  Barrera led off the inning with a single, Crawford was hit by a pitch and Taylor singled to score the eventual game-winning run.

Runners were put on the corners with a fielder's choice, which allowed junior Ellanee Allison to earn an RBI with a single to left.  Freshman Jacey Henry added the fourth run of game with a single to right and the final run scored when senior Claresha Clemons reached on a fielder's choice.

The Tigers then sent the next three batters for NSU back to the dug out to claim the 5-1 win.

East Central 2, Rogers State 1
The Hillcats (4-4) started the scoring in the game, earning a run in the third inning.  RSU kept up the strong defense until the bottom of the fifth.

Junior Aundrea Hamric led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and error by the Hillcats.  That allowed Crawford to claim the RBI with a fielder's choice to second.

Freshman Tatiana Bryant kept the inning going with a single and an error on the next play allowed Allison to reach and a run to score for the 2-1 lead.

RSU got runners on in both the sixth and seventh innings, but the Tiger defense held strong and didn't let a run cross the plate to hold on for the 2-1 victory.