ADA – The East Central University softball team split the opening day of the four-game Great American Conference series against Ouachita Baptist at Tiger Field.  The Tigers (12-12, 7-7 GAC) fell 6-5 in the opening game and then earned a 5-4 victory in game two.

ECU was led by junior Ellanee Allison, who hit .600 for the day, with three hits, two RBIs, eight putouts and three assisted outs.  Senior Alissa Taylor added a .500 average, four hits, an RBI, 14 putouts and two assisted outs.

Freshman Angel Stoker picked up the win in the circle, coming in for the fourth inning in game two and allowing just one hit.  Junior Demi Danell earned four Ks on the day, while freshman Jacey Henry netted two strikeouts.

Ouachita 6, ECU 5
The Tigers started the scoring in the first inning, when Taylor hit a solo home run on just the second pitch of the inning.

Ouachita was held scoreless until the third inning when they were able to add four runs to the board for a 4-1 advantage.

ECU cut into the lead with a single run in the third, on a solo home run from senior Claresha Clemon
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The Tigers then made it 4-3 in the fourth.  Junior Kahlie Barrett started the inning with a single and sophomore Nikki Herrin was hit by a pitch to put two runners on.  Junior Aundrea Hamric then singled, but due to a throwing error by the right fielder the run scored.

Ouachita added two more runs in the top of the seventh to push the lead to 6-3.

The Tigers had a chance to tie or go ahead in the bottom of the inning, but fell just one run short for the 6-5 final.  Henry started the inning being hit by a pitch and was sent around when Clemons hit her second home run of the day.  After two outs, Allison singled, but the next batter popped out to short to end the game.

ECU 5, Ouachita 4
Both teams scored a run in the first inning of game to.  The Tigers came on a single from Taylor, hit by pitch for Clemons and a single by Allison.

Ouachita garnered three runs in the top of the third, but again ECU responded and tied the game back a four.  Taylor started the inning with a single and Clemons was walked before both were advanced on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Catherine Barrera.  Allison then added another RBI for the day, with a single that also loaded the bases.

The second run scored when junior Mariah Ewy drew a walk and the final when junior Bridgett Gleason singled through the left side.

The teams held each other scoreless in the fourth, but the Tigers were able to add a run to take a 5-4 lead in the fifth.  After two outs, Ewy singled, Gleason was walked and Hamric was hit by a pitch to lead the bases.  Herrin then pinch hit and drove in the run with a single to right center.

The ECU defense then took over and sent three batters straight back to the dugout in the sixth and seventh to claim the 5-4 victory.