March 9, 2009
3.7.09 - Oklahoma City, Okla. - Mid-America Christian University softball swept Haskell Indian Nation University on Saturday afternoon at Jack Allen Field. The Lady Evangels took game one 4-3 and out slugged Haskel in game two, winning 16-8.
MACU got on the scoreboard early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Kasey Gardner singled to center and Sarah Lankford knocked her home. Shortstop Kaci Haney then hit a double sending Lankford across home plate, giving the Lady Evangels a 2-0 lead.
Lankford extended the Lady Evangels lead with a solo shot over the center-field fence, giving MACU a 3-0 advantage.
Haskell narrowed the gap in the top of the fourth, using two hits and a MACU error to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Lady Evangels loaded the bases with singles by Gardner, Kacey Jones, and Somer Grimes. A wild pitch by Haskell pitcher, Felisha Martin, allowed Grimes to score making the score 4-2
Caitlyn Ulmer came in the game as the relief pitcher in the seventh inning. A MACU error allowed Haskell to get a run in the top of the seventh with two outs. Ulmer then stuck out the next batter, giving her the save and MACU the 4-3 win.
Kalynne Tweedie (3-5) started for the Lady Evangels and picked up the victory. Martin started for Haskell and picked up the loss.
Game two was a slugfest. HINU left-fielder led off the top of the first with a home run. Five hits and two errors later the Indians had a 4-0 lead going into the bottom half of the inning.
The bottom of the first in game two started exactly like game one. Gardner single and Lankford double sending Gardner home, putting MACU on the scoreboard (4-1)
Haskell countered in the top of the second adding three more runs (7-1) all unearned, due to a MACU error.
The Indians held MACU scoreless in the bottom half of the inning and put up their last run of the game in the top of the third thanks to two MACU errors (8-1).
The Lady Evangels had a big third inning putting up eight runs, giving them a 9-8 lead. MACU used three hits and four errors to take the lead. Jenna Harris and Jones both walked and Gardner singled, loading the bases. Lankford reach first on an Indians error, scoring Harris and Jones. Haney doubled to center field scoring Gardner and Lankford. Courtney Kuebler reached via error, advancing Haney to third. A base knock by Kelcey Gabriel sent Haney home. Ulmer doubled scoring Gabriel and Haney. Jones reached by error scoring Ulmer.
MACU shut out the Indians for the final three innings and posted seven more runs, which gave them the run rule (16-8).
Ulmer (4-2) pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts, giving up eight runs, three earned off eight hits.
"When we are patient at the plate then good things happen for us," softball coach Jerald Lewis said. "We need to be looking for that one good pitch and hammer it. It doesn't matter if it is the first pitch or the 10th pitch but we have to be looking for it. Game one we were a little to anxious and it showed by only scoring four runs. We put the ball in play but we hit it right at them. In game two we gave them 7 runs and then decided to be patient. We put up 8 runs in the 3rd and then continued to hit the rest of the way. We have to keep that mentality every single at bat. We have to dictate the at bat and not let the pitcher dictate it for us."
MACU will travel to Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday, March 10th for a double header starting at 1 p.m.
