March 30, 2010
3.30.10 - Shawnee, Okla.- After getting run-ruled 10-1 in the opener, the Mid-America Christian University softball team battled to a 1-0 victory over Sooner Athletic Conference opponent Oklahoma Baptist University in eight innings in the nightcap.
OBU got on the board early, plating two runs in the bottom of the first. The Lady Bison loaded the bases with no outs to start the frame. Senior Kylie King reached base on a walk, bringing Alyssa Henkes home after leading off the game with a walk. A wild pitch brought the catcher, Candice Holden, across the plate.
MACU scored their lone run of the game in the second inning. Chelsea Downs led off the game with a single to left field, followed by Tiffani Molet who singled down the left side. Autumn Lawerence then hit a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. Ashlee Dodson drove in the run with a single to left field.
The Lady Bison added three runs to their lead in the second. OBU used four hits and an error by the Lady Evangels to take a 5-1 lead into the third frame.
OBU continued to pour on the offence in the third inning, using four hits to produce four runs.
OBU added one final run in the fourth to seal the victory.
Caitlyn Ulmer was tagged with the loss, pitching two innings giving up five runs, three earned, on four hits.
Cassidi Henderson got the win in the circle for the Lady Bison, pitching the complete game. She struck out seven while allowing one earned run on six hits.
The Lady Evangels regrouped for game two.
It all came down to extra innings. In the top of the eighth Rachel Scott started on second due to the international tiebreaker. Lawrence led off the inning, laying down a sacrifice but that move Scott to third base. Tiffanie Sanchez followed with a fly out to center field but the center fielder failed to get the ball into the infield, allowing Scott to race home, beating the throw. MACU took the 1-0 advantage into the bottom of the inning.
The Lady Evangels played poised defense in the bottom of the eighth. Henkes started the inning on second and moved to third with a sacrifice bunt from Holden. Ashley Clifton bunted and reached base on a fielder's choice thanks to Wilbanks quick fielding skills, throwing home where Dodson tagged the runner to avoid the tie. With two outs and a runner on second King was at the plate. She battled through a full count before gounding out to third base.
Jill Wilbanks picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Evangels. The junior from Yukon, Okla., pitched all eight innings allowing six hits and no walks.
The Lady Evangels left three runners on base throughout the game while OBU stranded eight runners.
The split leaves MACU with a 11-17 on the season with a 4-13 Sooner Athletic Conference record. OBU moves to 16-14 overall with a 3-9 conference record.
