ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team faced a tough test over the weekend, hosting conference-leading Southern Arkansas University in their second-to-last Great American Conference home series of the season, ultimately falling in a three-game sweep.
 
ECU now sits at 15-22 overall and 8-18 in GAC play as they prepare for their home series finale against rival Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday, April 15 at 2 p.m.
 
Game 1 | SAU 6, ECU 0
Game one saw ECU struggle to find offensive rhythm against SAU's ace, managing just one hit—a second-inning single by Caton Muncy—while striking out 11 times. The Muleriders steadily built their lead, scoring one run in each inning from the third through sixth to secure the 4-0 victory.
 
Amera Garner got the start in the circle and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and taking the loss.
 
Game 2 | SAU 10, ECU 5
The Tigers showed more spark in game two, tallying five runs on eight hits in a much more competitive contest. ECU got on the board in the fourth inning with solo home runs from Caton Muncy and Amiah Galcatcher. In the sixth, RBI singles from McKinley Feazle and Carsyn Cox, along with a wild pitch that brought home Jaicee Stott, rounded out the Tigers' scoring.
 
A six-run first inning from the Muleriders proved too much to overcome as ECU fell 10-5.
 
Brooklyn Charnock was tagged with the loss, giving up six runs on five hits in the opening frame. Lindsey Mauppin and Kennedy Schroeder combined for 6.1 innings of relief, allowing just three runs the rest of the way.
 
Cox led the offense with a 2-for-4 day, while Muncy recorded her fifth home run of the season and Galcatcher added her ninth.
 
Game 3 | SAU 6, ECU 0
Game three remained scoreless through four innings in a tighter battle before SAU broke through late. While ECU managed five hits—an improvement from the series opener—the Tigers couldn't string them together to create scoring opportunities.
 
The Muleriders capitalized in the late innings, scoring three in the fifth, two in the sixth, and one in the seventh to close out the sweep.
 
Chloe Williams took the loss after a solid 4.2-inning start, allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Taylor Spence came in for the final 2.1 innings, surrendering three runs on four hits.