ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team hosted Harding University for the final home series of the 2023 season. The Tigers dropped the Friday doubleheader, falling 3-1 in the opener and 7-1 in the second game.
 
Harding struck first in the second inning with one run for an early 1-0 advantage.
 
The Bisons doubled their lead in the top of the sixth after a Tiger error, but ECU quickly shook it off and answered back in the home half after Cara Duncan homered to left center to cut the lead in half 2-1.
 
After Harding added an insurance run in the seventh inning to go up 3-1, the Bisons retired the last three Tiger batters to secure the game-one win 3-1.
 
Taia Harris got the start in the circle for the Tigers, pitching a complete game while giving up three runs on eight hits.
 
ECU managed just one RBI in the opening game of the doubleheader, coming from Duncan who solo homered to put the Tigers' only run on the board. Kenzie Laker and Elyse LeClair also picked up hits, with Lasker going 2-for-2 at the plate while LeClair had one hit.
 
Like the first game, Harding wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as the Bisons plated two runs in the opening inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead.
 
Harding tacked two more on in the second inning and three in the fifth before ECU's bats started to wake up.
 
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Gabi Quintanilla led off with a double to right field which opened the door for Kenzie Lasker to deliver a hit into center field and plate Quintanilla for the Tigers' only run of the game.
 
The six-run deficit proved to be too much to come back from, though, and Harding would close out the day with a 7-1 win.
 
Starting ECU pitcher Taryn O'Brien took the loss on the mound, tossing six innings and allowing seven runs on 10 hits. Lauren HerrNeckar came in relief, pitching one inning and allowing one hit.
 
ECU managed just one RBI again in game two, this time coming from Kenzie Lasker in the bottom of the sixth. Lasker and Jami Watson went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Elyse LeClair, Megan Lesko, and Gabi Quintanilla picked up a hit.
 
The East Central University softball team will finish the series in a single game with Harding tomorrow, April 22. The Tigers will honor their four seniors at 11:45 a.m., with the start of the game following after.