SHAWNEE – The Oklahoma Baptist softball team opened up its home and Great American Conference season with a split against Ouachita on Friday afternoon at the Bison Softball Park.
In the first game against the Tigers, the Bison pounded out 11 hits, but left 10 runners on base in a 4-1 loss to the Tigers.
Kylie Kawamura connected on a solo shot to center to even the game at one in the third.
However, Ouchita connected on a pair of home runs in the fourth for a three-run inning to take a 4-1 lead. The Bison got runners on base in fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, but could not bring a run across.
Kayleigh Jones (3-1) suffered her first loss of the season in three innings of work despite striking out four batters.
Aspen Younce was excellent in relief, pitching four complete with two strikeouts.
Kawamura was 3-for-4 with the long ball, while
Jocee Sparks was 3-for-3. Emily Richarson added a 2-for-3 day with a walk, and
Mia Moddelmog was 1-for-4 with a double.
In the second game, Younce (2-1) took the circle and was dominant, tossing a complete game shutout and only allowing three hits to five strikeouts.
The Bison got on the board in the third inning on a two-run blast by
Asia Henry. One inning later, with the bases loaded, Kawamura slapped a two-run double to right center to push the lead to 4-0. OBU added a run on a passed ball in the fourth to hold a 5-0 advantage.
It was more than enough for Younce, who owned the circle and shut down the hot bats of Ouachita.
Kaytlyn Marsh finished 3-for-3 with two doubles, while Richardson was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Kawamura added a 1-for-3 performance with a double and two RBIs, and
Shelby Savage was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
OBU moves to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the GAC. They conclude the series tomorrow morning with the rubber match looking to clinch the series. First pitch has been moved to 10 a.m. due to inclement weather forecast for later in the afternoon.
