SHAWNEE, Okla. – The East Central University softball team was put to the test over the weekend, facing off against the leading team in the GAC, Oklahoma Baptist University, and experiencing defeats in all three matchups at Bison Softball Park.
 
Unfortunately for the Tigers, their offense struggled to ignite, managing five hits and failing to score any runs while the Bisons amassed 24 hits and 18 runs.
 
Despite OBU registering their first four hits within the first four innings in game one, ECU remained close, trailing only 1-0 heading into the fifth inning, leaving an opportunity for the Tigers to turn the tide and put runs on the board. However, a two-run homer by the Bisons in the bottom of the fifth extended their lead to 3-0, sealing the game one victory.
 
Jami Watson would record the only hit in the game for ECU while starting pitcher Taylor Spence took the loss in the circle, pitching a complete six innings while giving up three runs on seven hits.
 
In game two, the Bisons seized an early advantage and never looked back as they put up six runs in the first inning and five in the third to shut down the Tigers in an 11-0 run-rule victory after five innings.
 
ECU found more success with their bats, with Elyse LeClair going 2-for-3 at the plate while Brooklyn Fleming and Megan Lesko added one hit each. Lauren HerrNeckar suffered the loss in her start while Taylor Spence and Alyssa Charter-Smith pitched in relief.
 
Game three was similar to the first as ECU kept pace early but struggled to generate any offense, resulting in a 4-0 shutout win for OBU to clinch the series.
 
Taryn O'Brien pitched a full six innings in the circle, tallying five strikeouts but giving up four runs on nine hits to take the loss.
 
The ECU softball team will return back to Ada to regroup and prepare for a home series against Northwestern Oklahoma State University.