ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team returned to action on Friday after weather forced the cancellation of Tuesday's doubleheader. The Tigers hosted Oklahoma Baptist University for the opening games of their GAC series, battling the Bison throughout an intense day. ECU took the first game with a thrilling 9-8 walk-off victory, but fell 7-5 in game two, resulting in a split for the day.
 
The Tigers will fight for the series win in the rubber match on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m.
 
GAME 1 | ECU 9, OBU 8
The series opener was an exhilarating back-and-forth contest, with both teams exchanging momentum and responding each time the other took the lead. The game saw five lead changes and was a hitter's paradise, with five home runs – aided by strong winds.
 
ECU struck first when Amiah Galcatcher doubled down the left-field line, bringing home Carsyn Cox for a 1-0 lead. The Bison quickly answered, tying the game with a home run in the second inning.
 
OBU built on their momentum in the third, using a two-run homer and an RBI single to take a 4-1 advantage. However, ECU responded immediately. Galcatcher's two-run homer over right-center field cut the deficit to 4-3, and after a strong defensive inning, the Tigers reclaimed the lead. Caton Muncy's solo home run tied the game 4-4, and RBI singles from Abbey Strong and Cox put ECU up 6-4.
 
The Bison didn't back down, answering with three runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth to take an 8-6 lead. But ECU wasn't done yet either. In the bottom of the sixth, Galcatcher's clutch two-RBI single tied the game again, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
 
OBU stranded two runners in the seventh, leaving the door open for ECU. Shayne Roberts doubled to right field, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a walk-off single from Emily Bingham to give the Tigers a thrilling 9-8 win.
 
Taylor Spence started and went 4.0 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits. Lindsey Mauppin came in for relief, pitching the final 3.0 innings and limiting OBU to two runs and five hits to earn her sixth win of the season.
 
Amiah Galcatcher had a standout performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs, while Carsyn Cox added a 3-for-5 outing. Roberts also contributed with a multi-hit game, finishing with two hits.
 
GAME 2 | ECU 5, OBU 7
Game two was a different story as OBU jumped out to an early lead and never let go. The Bison wasted no time, scoring three runs on five hits in the first inning. They added one more in the third to extend their lead to 4-0.
 
ECU fought back in the bottom of the third, plating two runs on two hits. Galcatcher's RBI single scored Cox, and Muncy's bunt brought in Elyse LeClair to cut the deficit to 4-2.
 
The Tigers went quiet over the next two innings, while OBU padded their lead with three more runs on four hits in the sixth, making it 7-2.
 
Despite the tough hole, ECU rallied in their final at-bats. Abbey Strong crossed the plate on a Bison throwing error, and Galcatcher's RBI single to right center brought Cox home. A sacrifice fly by Jami Watson allowed LeClair to score, closing the gap to 7-5. However, the Tigers' rally fell short, with a final pop-up ending the game and splitting the day.
 
Amera Garner took the loss in the circle after allowing three runs on three hits. Chloe Williams pitched 4.2 innings of relief, giving up three runs on seven hits, while Brooklyn Charnock closed out the final 2.0 innings, surrendering one run on two hits.
 
Carsyn Cox and Amiah Galcatcher continued their strong performances at the plate, with Cox going 3-for-4 and Galcatcher going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. McKinley Feazle also added two hits in the loss.