SHAWNEE – The Oklahoma Baptist softball team picked up one of their biggest wins in program history since joining the ranks of NCAA Division II, defeating No. 22 Southern Arkansas by the score of 3-2 on an emotional Senior Day at Bison Softball Park.
Prior to the contest, the Bison recognized four seniors playing their final home game in
McKenna Anderson,
Shelby Savage,
Kaytlyn Marsh, and
Cheyenne Demaree. OBU came out determined to send their group out as winners.
Aspen Younce got the start in the circle for the second time in the series and continued to impress against a tough Mulerider lineup. Despite allowing a run in the first, Younce worked out of a tough jam to limit the damage.
Anderson led the bottom half of the first off with a single off starting pitcher Elisa Favela. One batter later, Demaree stepped into the box and laced the first pitch she saw over the right center wall to give the Bison a 2-0 advantage. The Muleriders made a move in the circle to limit the damage, but OBU had its early lead.
Younce continued to grind in the circle, working out of tough situations; however, the Muleriders evened the game with a run in the fourth. SAU threatened in the fifth with a runner on as Favela laced a ball into deep center, but Savage came away with a spectacular leaping catch to keep SAU at bay.
That brought on All-American Victoria Taylor in relief in hopes of shutting down the Bison and finishing off the series.
In the bottom of the fifth, Demaree put together an excellent at bat and singled into the right center.
Jocee Sparks followd that up with a double to right to set up runners on second and third with nobody out.
That would bring up
Emily Richardson who lofted a ball into deep left field to score Demaree on a sacrifice fly and give the Bison the lead back at 3-2.
From there, Younce took care of the rest, getting a key double play to get out of the sixth and getting out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh with a fly out to Demaree to secure the victory for OBU.
For the Bison, it was their first ever win over powerhouse Southern Arkansas in 18 tries. Younce earned the complete game win, allowing two runs on eight hits to go with seven strikeouts. OBU gave Taylor her second loss of the season.
Demaree was spectacular, going 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Sparks was 2-for-2 with a double while Anderson was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Richardson finished 1-for-2 with a RBI while
Asia Henry was 1-for-3 on the day.
The Bison move to 19-15 overall and 14-13 in the GAC. They will finish the year on the road beginning on Friday as they head to Monticello, Ark. to begin a three-game series with Arkansas-Monticello. First pitch is Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
