ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team faced Oklahoma Baptist University in a rubber match on Sunday, and despite a competitive start, the Tigers fell 9-1, closing out the GAC series with a tough loss.
 
With the defeat, ECU now sits at 12-8 overall and 5-4 in GAC play, while OBU improves to 7-2 in conference action.
 
After a quick, three-up-three-down start to the game, the Tigers struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Elyse LeClair doubled to right-center, putting herself in scoring position, and Jami Watson followed with an RBI single to give ECU a 1-0 lead.
 
The next three innings saw a pitcher's duel, with both teams finding it difficult to score. ECU held onto their slim lead, collecting four hits, while OBU struggled to find a rhythm until the fourth inning.
 
In the fourth, the Bison finally broke through, taking a 2-1 lead after scoring two runs on three hits. Although the Tigers were only one run behind, their offense began to cool off, while OBU's bats heated up.
 
The game shifted decisively in the fifth inning. OBU capitalized on a missed force out at home, adding another run. The Bison then exploded for four more runs on six hits, taking control of the game. Despite the Tigers' best efforts, momentum swung in favor of OBU, and the Bison never looked back.
 
OBU added two more runs in the sixth, securing the victory and sealing the series win with a 9-1 final score.
 
Chloe Williams started in the circle for ECU but took the loss after 4.1 innings, surrendering seven runs on seven hits. Lindsey Mauppin relieved her, tossing the final 1.2 innings and allowing two runs on five hits.
 
Jami Watson was the lone Tiger to have a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 at the plate with the only RBI. LeClair, Caton Muncy, and Brooklyn Fleming also added hits for ECU.
 
The Tigers will now prepare to face their rivals, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, in Durant on Tuesday, March 11, at 2 p.m.