ADA, Okla. – The East Central University's late-game rally fell short, and the Tigers dropped a 4-3 decision to No. 7 Southern Arkansas University Saturday afternoon in the series finale.
 
SAU opened up the scoring with two runs in the second to take a 2-0 lead, but ECU quickly pulled even.
 
Josi Goodman led off the bottom of the third with a single up the middle, then advanced to second with Elyse LeClair's SAC bunt. Vanessa Tamayo drew a walk, Goodman and Tamayo advanced to second and third on Kenzie Lasker's groundout, and Megan Lesko tied the game with a 2 RBI single to drive in Goodman and Tamayo.
 
ECU held SAU scoreless for another inning while the Tigers continued to battle in the box.
 
With one out in the fourth, Rachelle Mengwasser drew a walk, Adrianna Swann pinch-ran for Mengwasser, then advanced to second from Cheyenne Adair's SAC bunt. With a runner in scoring position, Goodman blasted one to center field for an RBI single to score Swann and regain the lead 3-2.
 
SAU answered back, though, in the top of the fifth with a double, walk, and another double to go ahead 4-3.
 
ECU had runners on second and first with one out after Adair reached on an error and LeClair drew a walk, but back-to-back strikeouts prevented the Tiger comeback, and SAU would win 4-3.
 
The Tigers finished with four hits, getting two apiece from Josi Goodman and one each from Megan Lesko and Vanessa Tamayo.
 
Starting pitcher Taia Harris went 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits with five strikeouts. ECU reliever Lauren HerrNeckar took the loss, allowing one run and two hits in 2 1/3 innings. Taryn O'Brien came in with a runner in scoring position to get the final out in the top of the seventh and keep the game within one.
 
The East Central University softball team will hit the road to Wichita, Kansas for a nonconference doubleheader against Newman University Tuesday, Feb. 28 starting at 2 p.m.