RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The East Central University softball team squared off against Arkansas Tech University in the series finale on Saturday. The Tigers held onto an early lead, but the Golden Suns steadily chipped away at their advantage, ultimately walking it off in the final inning to secure a 6-5 win and complete the series sweep.
 
ECU will now prepare for their next GAC matchup against Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.
 
The Tigers struck early in the first inning, with Amiah Galcatcher launching a clutch three-run homer to left field, putting ECU ahead 3-0. In the third inning, the Tigers extended their lead when Shayne Roberts doubled down the left field line and later scored on an ATU fielding error, making it 4-0.
 
The Golden Suns were held scoreless for three innings before finally breaking through in the fourth with a single run. They loaded the bases with three hits, but ECU's defense stepped up, getting out of the jam with back-to-back flyouts to limit the damage.
 
However, Arkansas Tech turned the game around in the fifth, taking the lead after scoring four runs on four hits to go ahead 5-4.
 
The Tigers fought back in the seventh inning, tying the game when Jaicee Stott scored on a wild pitch. But, as in the previous day's game, the Golden Suns walked it off once again, sealing the victory in heartbreaking fashion for the Tigers.
 
Brooklyn Charnock started in the circle, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing one run on six hits. Chloe Williams came in for one inning of relief, giving up four runs on three hits, while Lindsey Mauppin finished the final two innings, suffering the loss after allowing one run on three hits.
 
Carsyn Cox, Elyse LeClair, Shayne Roberts, Amiah Galcatcher, and Brooklyn Fleming each recorded one hit in the game. Galcatcher's eighth home run of the season came with three RBIs to lead the offense.