ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team hosted Henderson State University for a three-game Great American Conference series, slitting the doubleheader after falling in the opener 3-1 in extra innings before defeating the Reddies 7-1 in game two.
 
After two scoreless innings, ECU would be the first to get on the board after Megan Lesko hit a sac fly to right field with the bases loaded to score Vanessa Tamayo for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Tigers would maintain the lead for the majority of the game as ECU starting pitcher Taia Harris held Henderson scoreless for five straight innings.
 
The Reddies answered back in the top of the sixth with an RBI double to tie the game 1-1 and force the extra innings, as neither squad could add runs in the seventh frame.
 
A leadoff walk followed by a two-run homer would give Henderson the 3-1 lead and game one victory of the series.
 
Taia Harris took the loss, pitching a complete game and giving up three runs on six hits while striking out five.
 
Jayna Reid led the offense with two hits, while Miranda Garza, Kenzie Lasker, and Vanessa Tamayo each had one.
 
After falling in game one, ECU's offense caught fire in the second game, scoring three runs on three hits to take the early 3-0 lead.
 
Kenzie Lasker drew a walk, Cara Duncan singled to left field, and Josi Goodman doubled to left center to drive in both Lasker and Duncan. Elyse LeClair then followed with a hit of her own to plate Goodman for the third run of the inning.
 
The Tigers would extend their lead to 4-1 in the third after a sac fly from Gabi Quintanilla sent Megan Lesko across home plate. Lesko doubled to left center then advanced to third on a passed ball to lead off the inning.
 
Starting pitcher, Taryn O'Brien, gave Henderson trouble at the plate as the Reddies went three up and three down in the first three frames before adding their first hit of the game in the fourth frame.
 
Two scoreless innings went by before the Tigers added another three runs on three hits in the home half of the sixth inning.
 
Kenzie Lasker walked, Vanessa Tamayo singled, and Elyse LeClair reached on a Henderson fielding error that gave Lasker and Tamayo the green light to come home. Jayna Reid followed with a single to center to drive in LeClair for the 7-0 lead.
 
The Reddies managed to prevent the shutout by adding a run in the top of the seventh, but the Tigers would settle the score 7-1 for the game two victory.
 
Taryn O'Brien picked up her sixth win of the season, pitching a complete game and giving up one run on five hits while striking out four.
 
Megan Lesko was 3-for-4 at the plate, while Cara Duncan and Vanessa Tamayo recorded two hits apiece. Elyse LeClair, Jayna Reid, and Josi Goodman each had one.
 
The East Central University softball team will look to take the series with a single game Sunday, March 26 at 12 p.m.