WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The Oklahoma Baptist softball team (11-6, 3-1 GAC) fell 7-6 in the inaugural game of their weekend series with Southwestern Oklahoma State (2-8, 1-3 GAC) before having the second game of the doubleheader paused due to lighting at the SWOSU Softball Field.
The two teams were tied, 10-10, before the umpires signaled the game's end.
Game one saw Southwestern make a triumphant comeback, battling back from a 6-2 hole going into the bottom of the seventh to win the contest.
Early on, the Bison got to work quickly. After Adi Reese, and Sheyanne Sandoval reached base on balls, a Jocee Sparks sacrifice bunt advanced Reese into scoring position.
Then, Emily Richardson flew out to right field, plating Reese for the game's first score.
The Bulldogs would respond in the following inning with a run before the contest went scoreless over the next three innings.
Oklahoma Baptist broke the silence as Sandoval singled to score Reagan Ford, drawing the tally 2-1. The Bison bowed out the inning afterward as SWOSU proceeded to match the score at two-all.
Richardson continued her momentous start, collecting another RBI off a double down the left-field line. Aileen Alvelar added to OBU's score, bringing Richardson in for a 4-2 advantage.
Pitcher Kayleigh Jones held the opposition at bay in the bottom of the sixth, striking out two of the batters she faced.
The Bison's good fortune continued at the top of the seventh, as two more runs granted a 6-2 lead and marked the third consecutive inning with a score.
However, Southwestern came roaring back, tallying five runs in the seventh to complete their comeback for the win.
Emily Richardson was one RBI short of matching her career-best, as she batted in three runs to lead the Bison at the plate. Richardson went 3-3 and scored a run, while Jocee Sparks matched her 3-3 showing in the box. Sparks also tallied one RBI.
Freshman Gwyn Miller and Sammie Greene charted a stolen base apiece, bringing Greene's steal total to a team-best of six.
Sheyanne Sandoval went 2-3, scored a run, and brought a runner around. Aileen Avelar earned the last RBI for OBU, while Reagan Ford and Adi Reese recorded a hit apiece.
Kayleigh Jones (6-4) takes the loss, striking out nine and allowing nine runs through 6.2 innings of action.
Oklahoma Baptist will resume game two tomorrow from the top of the eighth, tied at 10. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
