SHAWNEE – A timely at-bat from Jocee Sparks and a Savage Storm miscue were the ingredients for success as Oklahoma Baptist (21-17, 9-10 GAC) walked off in back-to-back games to claim the series victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State (19-20, 10-10) GAC Saturday afternoon at Bison Softball Park.
OBU took game one 4-3 before completing the day's sweep with a 1-0 victory in the finale.
The contests presented over five hours of softball, but it was worth every minute.
The pitching staff of OBU, Aspen Younce and Kayleigh Jones, were nearly flawless today. Younce twirled through 5.2 innings in the first game, striking out three and surrendering three runs.
Jones stepped in as relief in the game, closing out the first victory with three strikeouts through 1.1 innings of action to earn her 13th win of the season.
Then, she really stepped up. In the second game, Jones charted a career-high 170 pitches for her 14th win of the season, striking out 11 without giving up a run. The junior reached 200 strikeouts, becoming the first Bison to do so in the Division II era and third all-time.
GAME ONE
The scoring started quickly, as Southeastern got on board first, courtesy of a sacrifice bunt. Oklahoma Baptist matched the action at the bottom of the frame as Sparks doubled to send Sheyanne Sandoval across to tie the game.
Activity ramped up when a Samantha Campos home run hit the scoreboard, her fifth of the season, to plate two more for a 3-1 advantage in the third.
After two scoreless innings, the Savage Storm crossed two in the sixth, tying the contest three-all.
At the top of the seventh, Jones struck out two before forcing the third into a ground-out to retire the opposition.
Sophomore Shelby Warden started the lineup with a single into left field to put a Bison on base. Then, she stole second a pitch later.
Facing a 2-2 count, Mia Moddelmog swung and fouled out to the first baseman, which advanced Warden to third. Upon Warden's arrival to the final bag, the SEOSU first baseman tried for a double-play but overthrew her target, granting Warden the opportunity to score for the walk-off win.
Sparks and Gwyn Miller garnered two hits, while Campos led the team with two RBIs. Three others, Stephanie McDonald, Reagan Ford, and Shelby Warden also registered hits.
GAME TWO
OBU and the SEOSU went head-to-head for 11 innings of action in the longest game of the season.
The first few frames passed quickly as each pitcher strutted their stuff early. As the game progressed, both sides reached second base numerous times, but couldn't get to third base for scoring position.
After the Bison were retired in the bottom of the seventh, fans got free softball and plenty of it.
Play continued through 2.5 innings before Adi Reese struck gold. Reese made contact on three of four appearances to this point in the game, but got out each time. Finally, her bat rang true for a double into right field.
Sheyanne Sandoval walked before Jocee Sparks swung on the first pitch, singling through the left side to plate Reese to complete the back-to-back walk off triumph.
Sparks went 3-5 at the plate while Sammie Greene and Reese charted two hits.
