ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – SWOSU Softball got a run-rule shutout victory in the nightcap and split with Ouachita on day one of the three-game conference series with final scores of 5-2 and 9-0.
The rubber match is currently set to get underway at noon tomorrow, pending any changes due to weather.
GAME ONE – OUA 5, SWOSU 2
After surrendering two runs in the first inning, SWOSU got one run back in the fourth and tied things up with another in the sixth, before Ouachita answered with three runs of their own in the bottom half that proved to be the difference maker.
Katie Boline drove in the first run with an RBI double with two outs, while the tying run scored thanks to a two-out throwing error two innings later.
Tied 2-2, a leadoff walk in the bottom of the sixth kickstarted Ouachita's big inning. They pieced together three hits after that, all singles, to take the lead for good.
Taryn Westbrook (L, 0-6) pitched 5.1 innings and was handed the loss. All runs that scored were charged to her, though one was unearned. Kaylee Barkey inherited two Westbrook baserunners in relief in the sixth inning, but the Tigers were able to plate two more runs with an RBI single.
Skye Tilley (2-4) and Boline (2-3) accounted for four of SWOSU's six hits in the contest.
GAME TWO – SWOSU 9, OUA 0 (5 inn.)
SWOSU gave starting pitcher Brianna Cryer a 3-0 lead to work with out of the gate in the nightcap and she ran with it. The game then got broken open in the fourth inning with six more runs by the Dawgs.
All three of the first inning runs came with two outs following a walk and three-consecutive base knocks that plated runs.
The lineup sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth inning and took advantage of two Ouachita errors and free bases in the form of walks and passed balls to deal its damage. SWOSU added three hits during that span, but scored six unearned runs in the long inning.
Cryer (W, 2-4) scattered four hits and struck out four in a winning effort in the circle. It was her third complete game of the season and the first shutout for any SWOSU pitcher this season.
Seven names had a hit in the contest, led by Cierah Jones who finished 2-3. Maddie Rahon and Skyla McPhillips both finished with two RBI.
