ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team split its Great American Conference doubleheader against Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday at home. The Tigers secured a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory in Game One but were unable to carry that momentum into the nightcap, falling 9-1 in five innings as the visiting Tigers claimed the series.
 
With the split, ECU moves to 1-2 in GAC play and will turn its attention to a non-conference home doubleheader against Northeastern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
 
Game 1| ECU 6, Ouachita Baptist 5
Ouachita Baptist jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding another in the second to take a 4-0 advantage. ECU began chipping away in the third when Elyse LeClair singled up the middle to drive in Haley Kruger. Later in the inning, Jaicee Stott scored on a passed ball to cut the deficit to 4-2.
 
After Ouachita added a run in the fourth to make it 5-2, the Tigers responded once again. Kennedy Lord delivered an RBI single to center field and later came around to score on a wild pitch, trimming the margin to 5-4.
 
Trailing by one heading into the seventh, ECU completed the comeback in dramatic fashion. With two outs and the bases loaded, LeClair reached on an error that allowed Rylynn Truett and Abbey Strong to score, sealing the 6-5 walk-off victory for the Tigers.
 
Amera Garner made the start in the opener, allowing three runs in the first inning before Brooklyn Charnock entered in relief. Charnock was stellar in the circle, tossing 6.2 innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits for the win.
 
Haley Kruger paced the Tigers with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, while Jaicee Stott, Elyse LeClair, Kennedy Lord, and Laraby Jennings each added a hit.
 
Game 2| Ouachita Baptist 9, ECU 1 (5 Innings)
Ouachita Baptist struck early in the nightcap, plating five runs in the top of the first inning behind a three-RBI double and an RBI triple to take immediate control. The visitors added four more runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double down the left field line, extending the lead to 9-0.
 
East Central broke through in the fourth inning when Kenni Tudor doubled to right center to drive in Kennedy Lord for the Tigers' lone run of the game.
 
ECU was unable to generate additional offense as Ouachita secured the 9-1 run-rule victory in five innings, splitting the Saturday doubleheader.
 
Bailey Melton drew the start in the nightcap, allowing five runs in the opening inning to take the loss. Kennedy Schroeder provided 2.2 innings of relief, surrendering three earned runs while working through the middle frames. Chloe Williams closed out the game with two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out one to finish the contest strong in the circle.