ADA, Okla. – After falling victim to a run-rule in yesterday's series opener, the East Central University softball team put up a fight in the series finale doubleheader but came up short 5-4 in game one before falling 1-0 in another tight contest in game two.
 
The loss drops ECU to 17-17 overall and 10-10 in conference play.
 
ECU wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning, collecting two runs on three hits for an early 2-0 lead.
 
Elyse LeClair led off with a double, advanced to third from Megan Lesko's hit to center, and then both Tiger players came home after Jami Watson doubled to right field to clear the bases.
 
OBU grabbed one run in the third and grew their lead from there, though, as the Bison tabbed three more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth for a 5-2 advantage.
 
The Tigers finally got back on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Rachelle Mengwasser and Gabi Quintanilla singled before Vanessa Tamayo's double to left drove in Mengwasser and Quintanilla to cut the deficit to 5-4.
 
With two outs, Mengwasser doubled to center to put ECU's tying run in scoring position in the seventh inning, but a strikeout brought the game to an end.
 
Taylor Spence took the loss on the mound, going four innings and giving up five runs on six hits. Lauren HerrNeckar came in relief, pitching three innings and allowing no runs on three hits.
 
Elyse LeClair, Rachelle Mengwasser, and Gabi Quintanilla had two hits apiece, while Jayna Reid, Megan Lesko, Jami Watson, and Vanessa Tamayo each had one.
 
Game two was much tighter and more of a pitcher's duel than game one, as just one run was scored in the contest when OBU plated one in the third inning.
 
The teams combined for 11 hits in the game, with the Tigers edging OBU six to five in that category.
 
The Bisons quickly loaded the bases in the first inning with two outs, but starting pitcher Taia Harris worked her way out of the jam with a strikeout to keep OBU off the board.
 
The Tigers turned around and loaded the bases as well in the home half after Elyse LeClair singled, Jayna Reid was hit by a pitch, and Megan Lesko picked up a hit. But back-to-back strikeouts and a flyout ended the inning.
 
ECU would get a runner in scoring position in the third, fifth, and sixth innings, but unfortunately could not find a way to capitalize on their opportunity in the 1-0 loss.
 
Harris pitched a complete game and struck out eight batters over seven innings of work.
 
Elyse LeClair and Megan Lesko led with two hits each, while Jayna Reid and Rachelle Mengwasser added one.
 
The East Central University softball team will hit the road to Alva, Oklahoma, next week for a GAC series with Northwestern Oklahoma State University.