ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team returned to Tiger Softball Field on Friday for a Great American Conference showdown against Southwestern Oklahoma State University, but fell 8-4 in the opening game of the series.
 
ECU will look to bounce back in tomorrow's doubleheader, starting at 12 p.m.
 
Despite matching the Bulldogs in hits (13-13), the Tigers struggled to capitalize with runners on base, while SWOSU found their rhythm early and maintained control throughout the game.
 
The Bulldogs struck first with a solo home run in the top of the first inning, but the Tigers quickly answered in the bottom half, taking a 2-1 lead after Elyse LeClair and Shayne Roberts singled, and Caton Muncy delivered a two-RBI double to left field.
 
However, SWOSU broke through in the second inning, plating four runs on four hits to regain the lead at 5-2. The Bulldogs added to their advantage with one run in both the third and fourth innings, pushing their lead to 7-2.
 
ECU had a missed opportunity in the third inning when they loaded the bases but couldn't bring anyone home. The Tigers did manage to get one back in the fourth when LeClair's RBI single to left field scored Brooklyn Fleming, cutting the deficit to 7-3.
 
SWOSU added an insurance run in the sixth inning to make it 8-3, and despite a rally in their final at-bats, ECU could not fully recover. With one out, Amiah Galcatcher, Shayne Roberts, and Caton Muncy singled to load the bases. Emily Bingham then drove in pinch runner Rylynn Truett with an RBI single, but back-to-back outs ended the game with an 8-4 loss.
 
Taylor Spence started in the circle but took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits. Lindsey Mauppin pitched 4.2 innings of relief, giving up four runs on eight hits, while Kennedy Schroeder closed the game with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit.
 
Shayne Roberts and Elyse LeClair both went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Caton Muncy was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.