WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Softball split the twin bill against Ouachita Baptist on Thursday afternoon, claiming the second game of the day.
The series will conclude Friday at noon, with SWOSU looking for their second GAC series victory of the year.
Game One
OUA 10, SWOSU 1
Ouachita got on the board quickly in the opening game of the day as the leadoff batter came around to score, and that trend continued in the second inning as well, with the leadoff batter again reaching base and eventually crossing home plate later in the frame.
During that same stretch, SWOSU was kept off the board and largely off the bases, not recording a hit until
Skyla McPhillips led off the fourth inning with a triple. She later came around to score in the frame for the Dawgs' lone run of the series opener.
The Tigers made the game out of reach in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to extend their lead to seven. They later added two more in the seventh to close out the game.
SWOSU was outhit 15-3, with the 15 hits marking the second most allowed by the Dawgs' pitching staff this season.
Lily Barfield and
Jaycee McKee both saw action in the circle, combining to throw 142 pitches, compared to just 76 from Ouachita's starting pitcher.
Game Two
SWOSU 5, OUA 4
This time it was the Bulldogs turn to get on the board quick as they poured out three runs in the second thanks to six hits, all singles, to take their first lead of the day. They would add to their lead in the fourth, as
Maddie Rahon sent a rocket over the left center wall for the lone home run of the day to give the Dawgs a 4-0 lead.
The Tigers would not go away early, however, tying the game in the fifth inning behind just two hits and an error by the SWOSU defense.
With the game now tied, the Dawgs needed a response, which they got in the bottom half of the inning. After
Josie Oakley singled to reach base,
Taylor McMahon hit a ball to the shortstop, who flipped it to second base for what appeared to be the force out. The throw then went to first in an attempt to complete the double play. However, the second base umpire signaled that the second baseman had come off the bag, ruling both runners safe.
As the Ouachita defense became confused on the play, the Bulldogs took advantage and advanced on the bases as the rundown attempt could not be completed. Just one batter later,
Taylor McKee grounded out but did enough to bring the eventual game-winning run home.
This time the Dawgs led 9-5 in hits with each team recording a defensive error. Oakley and Rahon each had multiple hits in the game with Rahon adding two RBI's.
Blaire Gentry threw a complete game to earn the win, allowing just the five hits and only two earned runs, while striking out four.
