EDMOND, OKLA. – For the first time since 2016, the East Central University softball team dropped the opening game of the season, with an 8-7 loss at Oklahoma Christian as part of the Edmond Festival I.

East Central Lineup

1. So. Jacey Henry (P / DH -5^{th /} P – 7th)
2. Jr. Catherine Barrera (SS / RF-4^th)
3. Sr. Sable Hankins (3B)
4. So. Tarah Hilton (C)
5. Sr. Aundrea Hamric (CF)
        Sr. Breecia Crawford (PH-4^th)
6. Sr. Ellanee Allison (1B / 2B - 4^th)
7. Jr. Kaytlyn Kizarr (LF)
        So. Tatiana Bryant (1B 4^th)
8. Sr. Bridget Gleason (RF / LF-4^th)
9. Sr. Mariah Ewy (2B / SS -4^th)
   So. Jessica Sisemore (DH / P – 5^th)
        Sr. Demi Danell (P 6^th-7^th Innings / DH – Top 7^th)

Oklahoma Christian Lineup

1. Brie Dunckel (SS)
2. Kaylie Upton (1B)
3. Bridget White (2B)
4. Bailey Strecker (3B)
5. Lindsey Stoeckel (LF / P 7^th Inning)
6. Daelyn Denny (RF / LF – 7^th)
7. Sierra Shcultz (C / C – Top 7th)
        Payton Sabolski (C – 7^th)
8. Lacey Davidson (DH)
        Kayla Eichler (PR – 2^nd / DH – 3rd / RF-7th)
9. Hunter Strickland (CF / CF – Top 7th)
        Sydney Smith (PH – 7^th)
   Madison Hagood (P 1^st-3rd Innings / 6^thInning)
        Kali Crandall (P -4th-5^th Innings)

Scoring

• OC 1^st – B. White doubled to CF, out at second CF to P to SS, RBI; K. Upton advanced to third; B. Dunckel scored (ECU – 0 / OC – 1)
• OC 1^st – B. Strecker lined out to CF, SF, RBI; K Upton scored (ECU – 0 / OC -2)
• OC 2^nd – B. White flied out to RF, SF, RBI; B. Dunckel advanced to third; K. Eichler scored, unearned (ECU -0 / OC -3)
• ECU 4^th – M. Ewy t rippled to RC, RBI; B. Gleason scored (ECU – 1 / OC -3)
• ECU 4^th – C. Barrera reached on a throwing error by SS, RBI; M. Ewy scored (ECU -2 / OC -3)
• OC 4^th – B. White singled to 2B, RBI; H Strickland scored (ECU -2 / OC - 4)
• OC 5^th – S. Schultz flied out to LF, SF, RBI; L. Stoeckel scored (ECU - 2 / OCU – 5)
• ECU 6^th – T. Hilton doubled to RC, 2RBI; C Barrera scored; J. Henry scored (ECU – 4 / OC – 5)
• ECU 7^th – J. Henry singled to RF, RBI; M. Ewy advanced to second; B. Gleason advanced to third; T. Bryant scored (ECU – 5 / OC – 5)
• ECU 7^th – C. Barrera HBP, RBI; J. Henry advanced to second; M. Ewy advanced to third; B. Gleason scored (ECU – 6 / OC – 5)
• ECU 7^th – S. Hankins flied out to CF, SF, RBI; M. Ewy scored (ECU -7 / OC – 5)
• OC 7^th – S. Schlutz grounded out to 3B, RBI; D. Denny advanced to second; L. Stoeckel scored, unearned (ECU – 7 / OC – 6)
• OC 7^th – K. Eichler singled, advanced to second on a fielding error by LF, RBI; D. Denny scored (ECU – 7 / OC – 7)
• OC 7^th – K. Upton flied out to CF, SF, RBI; B. Dunckel advanced to second; H. Strickland advanced to third; K. Eichler scored

Tiger Quick Hits

• First time since 2016 season that ECU had suffered a loss in the opening game of the year
• The Tigers (0-1) earned a 12-10 lead in hits
• The Eagles struck out seven batters to ECU's one
  • The Tigers also allowed four walks, to the two thrown by OC
• Danell suffered her first loss of the 2019 season after pitching 0.2 innings
  • Allowed 4 hits, 3 runs
• Henry allowed 4 hits and 5 runs (4 earned), walked 4 and struck out 1 in 4.2 innings
  • She also tallied 3 hits, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 HBP
• Gleason: 3 hits, 2 runs
• Hilton: 2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB
• Ewy: 2 hits, 2 runs; 1 RBI, 1 3B
• The Tigers trailed 5-2 heading into the sixth inning
  • Scored two in the sixth and three in the seventh tie the game at 5 at take a 7-5 advantage
  • Allowed thee in the top of the seventh for the tight loss
• ECU entered the game with a 1-1 overall series record with OC (all at home)

Up Next

• The Tigers will wrap up the Edmond Festival I, Sunday, Feb. 10 and Monday, Feb. 11
  • Sunday, Feb. 10 vs. Northeastern State (at OC Field) – 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, Feb. 10 vs. Rogers State (at OC Field) – 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Feb. 11 vs. Washburn (at OC Field) – 11 a.m.
  • Monday, Feb. 11 at Central Oklahoma – 3 p.m.
• ECU will then get ready for the first games of 2019 at Tiger Field
  • The Tigers host Newman (DH), Wednesday, Feb. 13 starting at 1 p.m.