ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The East Central University softball team looked to secure its first GAC series win of the season after splitting yesterday's doubleheader. Despite a late rally in the seventh inning, the Tigers fell short in the rubber match, losing 5-4 on Sunday.
ECU threatened to take an early lead in the first inning, with
Carsyn Cox leading off with a single, followed by back-to-back walks to
Caton Muncy and
Brooklyn Fleming, loading the bases. However, Ouachita managed to escape the jam with a fly out.
In the bottom of the first, the purple Tigers capitalized, taking a 2-0 lead on two hits. The orange Tigers responded in the second collecting three hits to place more runners on base, but were unable to score.
Ouachita extended its lead to 5-0 with a run in the second and two more in the third.
ECU broke through in the fourth inning, as
Shayne Roberts led off with a double to left-center. She later scored on a throwing error by Ouachita, putting the Tigers on the board at 5-1. The orange Tigers kept chipping away in the fifth, adding another run on an RBI single by Roberts. Once again, ECU loaded the bases but couldn't capitalize further.
Ouachita was held scoreless for the remainder of the game, while ECU kept fighting. After stranding three runners in the sixth, the orange Tigers mounted a rally in the seventh. Singles by Roberts,
Emily Bingham, and
Addisyn Cox loaded the bases for ECU.
Carsyn Cox's RBI groundout brought pinch runner
Abbey Strong home, and
Elyse LeClair drew a walk to reload the bases.
Amiah Galcatcher then earned an RBI walk, narrowing the gap to 5-4. However, a lineout to right field ended the rally, and ECU fell short, dropping the game and the series 2-1.
Amera Garner started in the circle but took the loss, allowing three runs on one hit in 1.0 inning.
Chloe Williams and
Taylor Spence came in relief, with Williams giving up two runs on four hits and Spence throwing 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits.
At the plate,
Carsyn Cox and
Shayne Roberts each recorded three hits and one RBI to lead the offense.
Elyse LeClair,
Emily Bingham, and
Addisyn Cox added two hits apiece.
The Tigers will continue their road trip with their next GAC matchup in Alva, Oklahoma, facing Northwestern Oklahoma State University from February 28 to March 1.