Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 EDMOND, Okla. (Feb. 17, 2018) – Oklahoma Christian only scored in one of 14 innings in its doubleheader Saturday afternoon at local rival Central Oklahoma, but that five-run outburst was enough to earn the Lady Eagles a split.
UCO blanked OC 3-0 in the opener, but the Lady Eagles bounced back for a 5-3 decision in the second game at Broncho Field.
Both OC (8-7) and UCO (8-4) have high hopes for this softball season – UCO was 30th in the balloting for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's preseason poll – and each showed flashes why during the doubleheader.
In the opener, UCO ace Jayden Chestnut (6-1) tossed a four-hit shutout to outduel OC left-hander
Madison Hagood (2-2), who surrendered two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
The Bronchos took advantage of an OC error in the first inning, as Bailey Thompson tripled to lead off and later scored on the miscue.
OC left a pair of baserunners on in the second and sixth innings, with Chestnut striking out the Lady Eagles' final two batters each time. UCO added two insurance runs in the sixth, as Thompson's single scored Natalie Seevers and Lexy Dobson.
UCO jumped ahead in the second game with a first-inning run off OC starter
Kaylie Upton (5-1), but she settled down and eventually allowed only five hits in six innings.
Kirsten Scott led off OC's big fifth inning with a single to right field off UCO starter Lauren Gibson (2-2).
Caitlin Young then reached on a throwing error and
Sheridan Fuller followed with a two-run double to left-center field.
Madison Nordyke doubled home Fuller and Upton (who went 3-for-4) singled up the middle to score Nordyke, making it 4-1.
Lacey Davidson later added a run-scoring single.
The Bronchos got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth, thanks in good part to an OC error, and threatened in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on second and third base with two outs. But Nordyke – in relief of Upton – struck out Allie Eicher to end the game. It was Nordyke's first save of the season.
OC will host Midwestern State (Texas) for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
