ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team wrapped up its Great American Conference series against Arkansas Tech on Saturday, showing improved offensive production but ultimately falling in both games of the doubleheader. The Tigers dropped game one in extra innings, 8-4, before falling 4-1 in the finale.
 
In game one, Arkansas Tech struck early, plating one run in the first inning before adding three more in the second to take a 4-0 lead.
 
ECU began to chip away in the third inning, as Sara Camplain delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-1. The Tigers continued to apply pressure in the fifth, putting together a strong offensive inning. Kenni Tudor and Hannah Whitaker each drew RBI walks, and a wild pitch allowed another run to score, tying the game at 4-4.
 
Both teams were held scoreless through the next several innings, forcing extra innings. In the ninth, Arkansas Tech capitalized with a four-run frame to reclaim the lead at 8-4. ECU was unable to respond in the bottom half, falling in extra innings despite the comeback effort.
 
Elyse LeClair led the Tigers with a 2-for-4 performance, while Sara Camplain added a hit and an RBI. Hannah Whitaker and Kenni Tudor each drove in a run, and Lindsey Mauppin and Abbey Strong also contributed hits as ECU worked to generate offense throughout the game.
 
Kennedy Schroeder got the start in the circle for ECU, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing four runs while recording a strikeout. Bradi Odom came in in relief and delivered a strong extended outing, tossing 7.2 innings while allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out five. Odom helped settle things in the circle and kept the Tigers within reach as the game moved into extra innings.
 
In game two, both teams were locked in a scoreless battle through the first four innings before Arkansas Tech broke through in the fifth with a three-run home run to take a 3-0 lead.
 
ECU answered in the bottom of the inning with aggressive baserunning, as Elyse LeClair swiped second and Abbey Strong came home to cut the deficit to 3-1. However, that would be all the offense the Tigers could generate. Arkansas Tech added an insurance run in the seventh, and ECU was unable to mount a late rally, falling 4-1 in the series finale.
 
ECU recorded six hits in game two, led by Elyse LeClair with a strong 2-for-4 performance at the plate. Kenni Tudor, Brooklyn Charnock, Haley Kruger, and Abbey Strong each added a hit, with Strong also scoring the Tigers' lone run of the game.
 
Lindsey Mauppin went the distance in the circle for ECU, tossing a complete game while allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out five.