RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Oklahoma Baptist picked up its first NCAA win over a top five opponent in any sport Monday when it split a doubleheader at fifth-ranked Arkansas Tech.
OBU lost the opener 7-1 but bounced back for a 3-0 win behind the three-hit shutout by freshman Haylee Zimmerman, playing in her home state. The win ended a 19-game win streak by the Golden Suns.
"Haylee was able to keep them off balance," said OBU Coach Pam Fink. "She did a great job of hitting her spots and making them chase her pitch. She didn't look like a freshman today."
Arkansas Tech scored five first-inning runs in the opener for a 5-0 lead on four RBI singles and an RBI double.
The Golden Suns made it 6-0 in the third before OBU got on the scoreboard with an RBI fielder's choice by Kasey Jo Burgess.
OBU had three hits in the opener with singles from Shalee Cordell, Zimmerman and Caitlin Hall.
Zimmerman, who picked up her first college win, scattered three hits and got the shutout without the benefit of any strikeouts. She also didn't walk anyone and the Lady Bison completed an error-free game.
Hall and Hannah Morris singled to lead off the fourth and Jill Shipman walked to load the bases. Sam Barry walked with the bases loaded to give OBU a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
In the fifth, Zimmerman singled and Morris walked before Shipman ripped a two-out two-run double for a 3-0 lead.
"Jill made an adjustment and came up with the big, timely hit," Fink said.
Burgess ran down a long fly ball for the final out.
"I was very proud of the team," Fink said. "We never quit. We showed resilience after that first game."
OBU had seven hits, including one apiece by Cordell, Burgess, Madison Vaughan, Zimmerman, Hall, Morris and Shipman.
