BETHANY, Okla. – The East Central University softball team wrapped up its GAC road series against Southern Nazarene University on Monday, clinching the series victory with an impressive 10-2 run-rule win, highlighted by a thrilling grand slam from Caton Muncy. Unfortunately, the Tigers fell short of completing the sweep as SNU rallied for a dramatic 7-6 walk-off win in the second game to close out the day.
 
With the split, ECU improves to 15-19 overall and 8-15 in conference play. The Tigers also rescheduled their midweek game against Southeastern Oklahoma State University to next Tuesday, April 15, and will now focus on preparing for their next GAC series against Southern Arkansas University in Ada on April 11-12.
 
GAME 1 | ECU 10, SNU 2
Though the final score suggests a blowout, the opening game of the day was tightly contested until ECU exploded in the sixth inning to take control.
 
SNU struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a home run. But the Tigers responded in the fifth when Shayne Roberts' RBI single cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
ECU then erupted for nine runs in the sixth inning, capitalizing on three hits and four SNU errors. McKinley Feazle, Addisyn Cox, and Carsyn Cox each drove in runs, and Elyse LeClair's two-RBI single extended the Tigers' lead to 6-2. The game was effectively sealed when Caton Muncy, with the bases loaded, crushed her first grand slam of the season over center field, pushing ECU's lead to 10-2, a margin SNU couldn't overcome.
 
Chloe Williams earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. Lindsey Mauppin came in for 0.2 innings of relief to close out the game without allowing any runs.
 
Caton Muncy led the offense with four RBIs and her fourth home run of the season, while Elyse LeClair and Shayne Roberts each contributed two hits.
 
GAME 2 | ECU 6, SNU 7
Game two was a rollercoaster of momentum, with both teams exchanging leads until SNU managed to rally in the seventh inning for a heartbreaking walk-off victory, denying ECU the series sweep.
 
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the third inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Caton Muncy. However, SNU responded quickly with three runs in the bottom of the third to go ahead 3-1.
 
ECU answered in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on four hits to regain the lead. RBI singles from Elyse LeClair and Shayne Roberts tied the game, and an RBI single from Muncy put the Tigers ahead 4-3.
 
The Tigers extended their lead in the sixth with back-to-back RBI singles from Muncy and Jami Watson, putting ECU ahead 6-3. But SNU fought back, scoring two runs in the sixth and another pair in the seventh to walk it off with the win.
 
Lindsey Mauppin started in the circle, going 2.1 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits. Taylor Spence came in for 3.1 innings of relief, surrendering two runs on four hits. Brooklyn Charnock took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in the final inning.
 
Caton Muncy continued her strong play, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Shayne Roberts finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.