ADA, Okla. – After splitting the doubleheader a day before, the East Central University softball team came out on top in the series finale against Henderson State University with a 1-0 walk-off win to secure their fourth consecutive Great American Conference series win of the 2023 season.
 
The win improves ECU to 15-14 overall and 10-7 in conference play.
 
With the series win on the line, it was a pitcher's duel between ECU and HSU in game three as both sides combined for just six hits through all seven innings.
 
Taylor Spence started in the circle for the Tigers and held the Reddies scoreless for seven innings.
 
Henderson threatened to score in the top of the first by loading the bases from a hit, reach on error, and a walk, but Spence and the Tiger defense worked out of the jam to keep the Reddies off the scoreboard.
 
With the score at a deadlock, ECU stepped up in the seventh inning, starting with a leadoff double from Gabi Quintanilla to get the Tigers in scoring position. Rachelle Mengwasser followed with a grounder to shortstop but reached on the fielding error that allowed Quintanilla to advance to third base. Henderson tried to throw Quintanilla out after rushing home from Vanessa Tamayo's grounder, but she was too quick to get the out, and the Tigers would walk it off for the 1-0 game three win in Ada.
 
Taylor Spence pitched a complete game in the win, going seven innings while only allowing two hits and no runs.
 
Kenzie Lasker led the offense with two doubles, while Miranda Garza and Gabi Quintanilla picked up one hit.
 
The East Central University softball team will be back in action at home Tuesday, March 28 for a nonconference doubleheader against Newman University starting at 2 p.m.