SHAWNEE – Kayleigh Jones tossed a seven-inning three-hitter to help Oklahoma Baptist (26-8, 11-4 GAC) knock off No. 17 Southern Arkansas (22-9, 10-5 GAC) 5-0 inside Bison Softball Park on Friday night.
The senior collected seven strikeouts without giving up a run to one of the best-hitting teams in the country. It marked Jones' eighth shutout of the season, as she improved her record to 17-5.
Tonight's victory gives the Bison 11 conference wins, pushing the squad ahead of the Muleriders in the GAC standings. Furthermore, it was the first time OBU had beaten SAU since 2021.
After Jones struck out one and forced two line-outs to retire Southern Arkansas at the top of the opening frame, the Bison rotation got to work.
Leadoff hitter Reagan Ford was the first to reach base after a single into center field. Following a Sammie Greene sacrifice bunt, she'd advance to second before Emily Adler singled to put Ford in scoring position.
A Morgan Max dart to the pitcher sent Ford across for the game's first score ahead of E. Adler scoring another run after Kennedy Clark reached on a fielder's choice.
Oklahoma Baptist was nearly flawless over the next two innings as they shutout the red-hot Muleriders before tacking on their third run of the contest in the third. The score came on a walk after SAU loaded the bags, hitting a batter and walking the others.
OBU crossed the plate two more times the rest of the way, courtesy of a Max RBI and a Sammie Greene solo shot over left field in the bottom of the sixth. With those, the Bison secured their 10th shutout victory this season, a match of its 2021 total.
Greene and Max led Oklahoma Baptist with 2-for-3 showings in the batter's box, highlighted by Greene's third career home run. Additionally, three Bison registered a stolen bag, the most in a game in 2023.
The Bison return tomorrow for a doubleheader in hopes of securing their first series victory over Southern Arkansas in program history. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
