ADA, Okla. – The East Central University softball team battled through a long day of weather delays to earn a hard-fought 2-1 victory over rival Southeastern Oklahoma State on Friday at Tiger Softball Field, opening the final home Great American Conference series of the regular season with a win.
 
Despite the stop-and-start nature of the day due to inclement weather, the Tigers stayed focused and delivered when it mattered most. Southeastern struck first in the third inning on a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead, but ECU responded immediately in the bottom half.
 
Elyse LeClair sparked the offense with an RBI single up the middle to tie the game, before advancing into scoring position. Moments later, Hannah Whitaker gave the Tigers the lead with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing LeClair home and putting ECU ahead 2-1.
 
From there, the Tigers' defense and pitching held strong, keeping the Savage Storm off the board the rest of the way to secure the one-run victory.
 
Bradi Odom delivered a complete-game performance in the circle, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out eight over 7.0 innings to earn the win.
 
Elyse LeClair led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, while also drawing a walk. Hannah Whitaker added an RBI on a sacrifice fly and finished with a hit, while Abbey Strong and Haley Kruger each contributed a hit in the win.
 
ECU will return to the field Saturday for the final two home games of the series, with a doubleheader set to begin at 1 p.m. Following game one, the Tigers will also honor seniors Elyse LeClair and Kennedy Schroeder as part of Senior Day festivities.