BENTONVILLE, ARK. – The East Central University softball team ended its 2018 season with a 5-1 loss to Henderson State in its second game of the Great American Conference Championship tournament at the Wolverine Athletic Complex (Bentonville West High School).

The Tigers (23-30-1) played a strong defensive game, allowing just eight hits, while recording five of their own and no team scoring until the fifth inning.  Five ECU players recorded hits in the game, with junior Mariah Ewy earning the lone RBI and a hit.

The Reddies (33-24) got a run on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning.  HSU then added four more runs to the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth for a 5-0 advantage.

The Tigers were able to score their lone run in the top of the seventh inning.  After the first out, freshman Tarah Hilton doubled and was ran for by junior Bridget Gleason.  Sophomore Catherine Barrera advanced the runner to third, allowing Ewy to earn the RBI with a single to left field.

The game was the final for seniors Alissa Taylor and Claresha Clemons.  Taylor hit .370 for the season, with 68 hits, 32 runs, nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 39 RBIs.  Clemons added a .301 average, 46 hits, 28 runs, seven doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBIs.