WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Softball dropped both games of Saturday's doubleheader as East Central secured the series, two games to one.
The Bulldogs will travel to face Southeastern Oklahoma State next weekend in continued conference play.
Game One
ECU 6, SWOSU 4
Landry Bayless' grand slam in the fourth gave SWOSU a 4-1 lead, but East Central responded with five runs over its final three at-bats to rally for the win.
The Tigers scored twice in the fifth, tied the game in the sixth, and took the lead for good in the seventh. Tied 4-4 in the seventh, ECU led off the inning with a home run and later added a sacrifice fly for insurance.
Bayless accounted for all four SWOSU runs. The Bulldogs were held to five hits, while ECU finished with 13.
Jaycee McKee (L) took the loss in relief, allowing the go-ahead run in the seventh after entering in the fifth for
Lily Barfield. Barfield threw 4.1 innings, allowing seven hits with one strikeout and two walks.
Blaire Gentry recorded the final three outs.
Taylor McMahon led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Game Two
ECU 3, SWOSU 1
SWOSU's offense struggled to find rhythm in game two, as the Bulldogs were retired in 14 consecutive at-bats after a leadoff bunt single.
East Central scored twice in the first inning, but
Blaire Gentry settled in and kept the Tigers in check to give SWOSU a chance.
The Bulldogs broke through in the fifth when
Kennedi Caine doubled and
Olivia Brown followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1. SWOSU threatened again in the sixth but stranded the tying run at third.
ECU added an insurance run in the seventh to seal the win.
Gentry (L) threw a complete game, striking out two without issuing a walk while allowing 11 hits. ECU's pitcher also went the distance, limiting SWOSU to four hits.
Four different Bulldogs recorded a hit in the game.
