OKLAHOMA CITY – Despite a brilliant performance from
Aspen Younce in game one, the Oklahoma Baptist softball team could not pull out a win on Saturday afternoon, dropping a doubleheader to No. 22 Southern Arkansas 2-1 and 11-2 (6) at Tom Heath Field on the campus of Oklahoma Christian.
Younce was up to the task in as she faced off with All-American pitcher Victoria Taylor of the Muleriders. Younce would retire nine the first 10 batters to keep the Muleriders in check in the first three innings. The Bison struggled early at the plate against Taylor, but began to find some success in the bottom of the third inning.
Asia Henry drew a walk to bring in
Reagan Ford to pinch run while
Sheyanne Sandoval put down a perfect push bunt towards short to make it first and second with no down.
After a sac bunt by
Shelby Savage moved the runners into scoring position,
McKenna Anderson pieced together an outstanding 12 pitch at bat as she capped it with a lofted single into right center to score Ford for the 1-0 lead. Taylor settled in and got out of the inning with no further damage.
SAU got a run back off Younce in the fourth inning thank in part to the wind playing tricks on the Bison defense to even the game. The Muleriders then pushed ahead 2-1 in the sixth on a solo shot.
OBU loaded the bases with one down in the seventh inning as they looked to walk it off and take the first game of the series. However, Taylor struck out the next batter and got a tremendous diving play from second baseman Sarah Evans to force the out at second and clinch the win.
Younce went the distance, allowing two runs on six hits to go with four strikeouts in a tough loss. Sandoval was 2-for-3 on the day while Savage was 1-for-2 with a sac bunt.
Kaytlyn Marsh and
Emily Richardson were each 1-for-3 while Anderson was 1-for-4 with a RBI.
A six run first inning was all SAU would need in game two as
Kayleigh Jones tried to go early on, but had to be pulled due to injury. The Muleriders would roll to an 11-2 win in seven innings.
Four Bison saw action in the circle including
Shianne Eddings,
Kaley Sessums, and Younce. Jones ultimately took the loss despite 0.1 innings of work.
Savage was 1-for-2 with a solo shot while Sandoval was 0-for-2 with a RBI. Marsh, Henry, and
Jocee Sparks all aded hits on the afternoon.
OBU will look to salvage the series on Sunday afternoon as they take on the Muleriders for Senior Day tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
