RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The East Central University softball team played the final two games of the Great American Conference series with Arkansas Tech, coming up short 2-0 in the opener and then 7-0 in the finale.
 
In the opening game of the day, it was a pitcher's dual between the Tigers and Golden Suns as five scoreless innings went by before any runs would hit the board.
 
Arkansas Tech would record the first hit of the entire game in the bottom of the third inning before Elyse LeClair answered back for the Tigers in the next frame with a double to left field.
 
The Tigers threatened to score in the top of the sixth after LeClair doubled to right field, Megan Lesko drew a walk, and Gabi Quintanilla singled to center field. But LeClair was thrown out at home on the play, allowing the Golden Sunds to escape the inning without damage.
 
Arkansas Tech responded in the home half with a two-run homerun that helped them secure the 2-0 game one win.
 
Despite a great effort in the circle, Taia Harris took the loss, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing two runs on three hits.
 
Elyse LeClair picked went 2-for-3 at the plate while Gabi Quintanilla and Cara Duncan had one hit each.
 
Game two was completely different from the first as Arkansas Tech exploded for five runs on five hits to break open the game in the first inning with a 5-0 lead.
 
The Golden Suns would retire 12 out of 13 Tiger batters between the second and fifth inning before Arkansas Tech would add their final two runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 7-0 lead that solidified the series sweep.
 
Taylor Spence took the loss, going just 0.1 innings while giving up five runs on four hits. Taryn O'Brien came in relief, going 5.2 innings and giving up two runs on six hits.
 
The East Central University softball team will return to Ada next week for the final home GAC series of the 2023 season. The Tigers will play a doubleheader on Friday, April 21, with senior day following the next day before the start of the noon game on Saturday, April 22.