ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team rebounded in a big way during their midweek rivalry showdown, taking down Southeastern Oklahoma State University 7-4 in Tuesday's Great American Classic series finale at Tiger Softball Field.
 
Though ECU dropped the overall GAC series 2-1, the Tigers closed it on a high note and will carry the momentum into their final road trip of the regular season — a key matchup at the University of Arkansas-Monticello on April 17-18.
 
The Tigers came out swinging, taking an early lead and never relinquishing control, despite a late push from the Savage Storm that brought the tying run to the plate in the final inning.
 
After both teams went down in order in the first, Caton Muncy got things started for ECU with a leadoff solo home run in the second, her sixth of the season. In the third inning, the Tigers doubled their lead thanks to an RBI single from Elyse LeClair.
 
ECU broke things open in the fourth, plating three more runs on five hits. Addisyn Cox drove in pinch-runner Rylynn Truett with a single up the middle, and Carsyn Cox followed with a two-run single to left-center to give ECU a 5-0 cushion.
 
Southeastern responded with a two-out, three-run homer in the fifth to cut the deficit to 5-3, but the Tigers answered right back. LeClair delivered again in the sixth with another RBI single, and Muncy drew a bases-loaded walk to push the lead back to four at 7-3.
 
The Savage Storm mounted one final rally in the seventh, loading the bases and plating a run to make it 7-4. However, Taylor Spence, who entered in relief and, backed by a steady Tiger defense, forced two critical flyouts, shutting down Southeastern's rally and securing the win.
 
Amera Garner earned her third win in the circle, tossing 5.0 innings while allowing three runs on six hits and striking out three. Lindsey Mauppin and Spence each contributed an inning of relief to lock down the victory, with Spence recording her second save of the season.
 
The Tigers saw four players collect multiple hits: Carsyn Cox, Elyse LeClair, McKinley Feazle, and Addisyn Cox each tallied two hits. C. Cox, LeClair, and Muncy also recorded two RBIs apiece in a well-rounded offensive effort.