WICHITA, Kan. – The East Central University softball team closed out its final non-conference midweek doubleheader in dominant fashion Tuesday, sweeping Newman University with an 8-0 victory in game one before edging out a 3-2 win in game two.
 
With the sweep, the Tigers build momentum heading back into Great American Conference play, as ECU will remain on the road for a series against Southern Arkansas University on April 10-11.
 
The Tigers erupted for 18 hits on the day, powered by an explosive five home runs in the doubleheader sweep.
 
In game one, ECU wasted no time setting the tone. Kennedy Lord opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo home run to left field, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Tigers added to their advantage in the third, capitalizing on an error to bring home a run before Hannah Whitaker launched a two-run home run to center, extending the lead to 4-0.
 
ECU continued to apply pressure late in the game. An RBI single from Kenni Tudor in the sixth made it 5-0 before the Tigers broke things open in the seventh.
 
Abbey Strong drove in a run with a single, followed by an RBI double from Whitaker and an RBI single by Laraby Jennings to cap off the 8-0 shutout victory.
 
Hannah Whitaker led the Tigers at the plate with a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Elyse LeClair and Abbey Strong each recorded two hits and scored twice, with Strong adding an RBI. Kennedy Lord added two hits and an RBI, while Kenni Tudor and Laraby Jennings each drove in a run for ECU.
 
Bradi Odom earned the win with a strong outing, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out three. Lindsey Mauppin closed out the game in relief, delivering 1.1 shutout innings and not allowing a hit to secure the combined shutout.
 
In game two, ECU again struck early behind the power of Lillian Bacon, who homered in the second inning to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
 
Haley Kruger followed with a solo home run in the third, extending the advantage to 2-0 as the Tigers looked in control.
 
Newman answered in the sixth, using a two-RBI triple to even the score at 2-2 and set up a tense final inning.
 
However, Bacon delivered once again in the seventh, crushing her second home run of the game to put ECU back in front, 3-2.
 
The Tigers held on in the final frame to secure the sweep, closing out a strong non-conference showing on the road.
 
Addison Hughes earned her first collegiate win, coming in relief and tossing 1.1 scoreless innings while allowing no hits and striking out one to close out the victory. Kennedy Schroeder delivered a strong start, going 5.2 innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out two.
 
Lillian Bacon powered the Tigers' offense, going 2-for-3 with two home runs while Haley Kruger added a hit and an RBI, scoring once in the win. Elyse LeClair, Kennedy Lord, and Katelin Keller each recorded a hit to contribute to the Tigers' offensive effort.