WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Aspen Younce struck out 14 batters before Kayleigh Jones fanned the last three to lift Oklahoma Baptist (8-1, 0-0 GAC) over Midwestern State 4-3 in a 10-inning thriller on Saturday night. The victory completes a sweep of the final day in Texas as the Bison blanked Rockhurst 3-0 earlier today.
Jones totaled 25 strikeouts in two appearances without allowing a single run. She improves her season record to 6-0 after picking up both wins in 10.2 innings of action.
Younce twirled 6.1 innings against MSU. She fanned a career-high 14 batters and surrendered just three runs. Together, the tandem totaled 39 strikeouts.
GAME ONE
In game one, Jones didn't waste any time establishing her dominance, striking three Rockhurst batters in the inaugural frame. At the bottom of the inning, Emily Adler grounded out to plate Sammie Greene for the game's first points.
Jones remained at her best the next time up, sitting down three more to retire the opposition. Then an Alleyna Rushing ground-out sent across Adi Reese for a 2-0 OBU lead.
Excellent fieldwork through the next three innings left the Hawks scoreless and the Bison confident. The green and gold tacked on its last in the bottom of the fifth as E. Adler scored on a wild pitch.
Samantha Campos and Sammie Greene went 2-2 at the plate, highlighted by Greene's second triple of the season. Additionally, Rushing and E. Adler batted a runner in.
Jones pitched a complete game, striking out 15 of the 29 batters she faced.
GAME TWO
OBU's 10-inning triumph over the Mustangs was its longest game since an 11-inning victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State last season.
After a scoreless first inning, Oklahoma Baptist erupted for three runs in the second. With two on base, Reagan Ford's two-out single crossed Adi Reese and Jocee Sparks. Then Ford made her way around after an error on the first baseman to put OBU up 3-0.
Midwestern plated a couple at the bottom of the frame to make things interesting.
After the Bison left three on base at the top of the third, MSU tacked on another to knot the contest three-all.
For the next six innings, neither squad could gain the upper hand until a Reese sacrifice bunt put Gwyn Miller in scoring position in the 10th.
The next two Bison walked, which sent Miller in for the game-winning run.
At the bottom of the frame, Midwestern State had two in scoring position but couldn't escape Jones in the circle. The last three batters struck out swinging to give OBU its eighth victory of the year.
Ford and Greene led the squad in the box with two hits, led by Ford's two RBIs.
Next up, Oklahoma Baptist travels to Kansas for the Emporia State Classic. OBU is set to face Minnesota State-Mankato, Minnesota-Duluth, Washburn, and Emporia State.
