PIEDMONT, Okla. – After 272 days since their last competitive appearance last year, the East Central University softball team opened their 2024 season on Thursday, Feb. 1^st with a three-game series against Newman University in Piedmont, Oklahoma.
 
On day one, the Tigers opened up with a thrilling 4-2 victory. Senior Megan Lesko highlighted the win as she sent a two-run homer over the left-field fence, securing the walk-off win in the ninth inning. Lesko, Elyse LeClair, Emily Bingham, and Rikki Hadley each picked up two hits while Lauren HerrNeckar got the win in the circle, pitching six innings, allowing three hits, no runs, and five strikeouts.
 
However, in the nightcap, Newman jumped out to a quick start in the first inning and never let the lead go as ECU fell 3-1 in a split outcome on the opening day. Lesko went 2-for-4 while Jami Watson went 2-for-3 and picked up an RBI to score Caton Muncy as the Tigers' only run.
 
Day two was similar to the first game in that the Tigers and Jets saw themselves with the score knotted heading into extra innings. Tied 11-11 going into the ninth inning, ECU looked to walk it off like they had done so earlier. But before they got the opportunity, Newman put up crooked numbers in the top of the ninth, ultimately leading to their 20-11 victory and 2-1 series win.
 
The ECU softball team will continue their non-conference schedule with a doubleheader road series against Midwestern State University Texas on Tuesday, Feb. 6^th starting at 2 pm.