ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Oklahoma Baptist softball team needed one win on Saturday afternoon to clinch a spot in the GAC Tournament for the first time in school history. The Bison did one better as they swept the Reddies to take the series, using strong pitching to take a 3-0 and 3-2 victory.
Aspen Younce was outstanding yet again in game one as she tossed a complete game shutout to punch OBU's ticket to the postseason. Younce went all seven innings and only allowed three hits to go with seven strikeouts on the afternoon.
The offense struck in the second inning as
Jocee Sparks got it rolling with a single. One batter later,
Emily Richardson drove Sparks home with a RBI double to take a 1-0 lead.
Asia Henry followed as she stepped into the box and blasted a two-run bomb over left to give the Bison a commanding 3-0 advantage.
It was more than enough for Younce, who retired the final eight batters of the game to earn the victory.
Henry 2-for-3 with two RBI including the home run while Richardson was 1-for-2 with a double.
Kaytlyn Marsh and
Kylie Kawamura each had a 1-for-2 day with a double.
In the second game,
Kayleigh Jones found her rhythm again despite allowing a pair of runs. Jones also went the distance to earn a win, allowing two runs on seven hits to go with five strikeouts.
Henderson State took a 2-0 in the fourth, but the Bison battled back in the top half of the fifth.
Sparks got things started with a one double double and saw
Avery Baxter pinch run, moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from Marsh. That set up
Shelby Warden in a pinch hitting situation as she singled to short to drive in a run and cut the deficit in half.
Back-to-back walks set up
Shelby Savage with the bases loaded and two outs as she came through with a single up the middle to give the Bison a 3-2 lead.
Jones took it from there as she kept the Reddies in check and gave the Bison a series win in their final regular season game.
Savage led the offense with a 2-for-4 day with two while while Henry was 2-for-3 and
Cheyenne Demaree was 2-for-4. Sparks added the lone extra base hit with a double while Marsh and
McKenna Anderson each had a hit.
With the season still in play, the Bison will not know their opponent in the GAC Tournament for at least another week. The Bison will next take the field on Friday, May 14 for their GAC Quarterfinal contest at a time to be determined.
For all updated information on the GAC Tournament as well as OBU Softball, follow the team @OBU_Softball on Twitter and Instagram.
