ADA, Okla. – After winning both games of the doubleheader on Friday, the East Central University softball team aimed for a series sweep over Northwestern Oklahoma State University. However, the Tigers found themselves trailing early and were unable to mount the comeback, resulting in a 8-5 defeat at Tiger field.
 
The Rangers took and early lead in game three with a three-run homer in the first inning, followed by two more runs in the second, extending their advantage to 5-0 and gaining momentum.
 
Despite the unexpected setback, the Tigers fought back in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to McKinley Feazle's two RBI double down the left field line, bringing Cheyenne Adair and Megan Lesko home to narrow the gap 5-2.
 
ECU held Northwestern in the third inning while continuing to chip away at the deficit as Jami Watson's groundout to shortstop allowed Elyse LeClair to score, making it 5-3.
 
Two scoreless innings went by before the Rangers managed to add one more run in the sixth inning, extending their lead to 6-3. However, the Tigers answered in the home half with a run of their own courtesy of Megan Lesko's solo home run igniting a two-out rally. ECU loaded the bases with Emily Bingham reaching on an error, and McKinley Feazle and Josi Goodman both drawing walks. Despite runners in scoring position, a force out at third ended the inning, with the Tigers trailing 6-4.
 
Northwestern extended their advantage once more in the next frame, scoring two runs with the help of ECU miscues, leading 8-4 heading into the final at bats.
 
In the Tigers last-ditch effort, they Tigers loaded the bases with Caton Muncy and Jami Watson drawing walks and Cheyenne Adair getting hit by a pitch. Megan Lesko then hit a double to right center, driving in Muncy while Watson was caught in a run-down. Emily Bingham drew a walk to load the bases again, but a final strikeout by the Ranger pitcher secured the 8-5 defeat.
 
Taryn O'Brien started on the mound, but took the loss in five innings pitched, allowing six runs on nine hits. Amera Garner came in relief for 1.2 innings, giving up two runs on one hit while Taylor Spence got the last out for the Tigers.
 
Megan Lesko contributed three of ECU's five hits in the game to lead the offense, highlighted by her home run and two RBIs. Gabi Quintanilla and McKinley Feazle had the two other hits.
 
Despite the loss, the ECU softball team secured the 2-1 series win over the weekend and will now gear up for their series finale against Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday.