SHAWNEE – A Reagan Ford shot into center field drove in Alleyna Rushing to help Oklahoma Baptist capture its first series victory over Southern Arkansas in program history. The Bison took down nationally ranked SAU 6-5 in walk-off fashion after falling 9-5 in game one on Saturday at Bison Softball Park.
OBU improves their season record to 27-9, which includes a 12-5 mark in Great American Conference play.
GAME ONE
Southern Arkansas got out to a quick lead in game one after scoring a couple of runs in the opening frame. OBU responded with a score in the bottom of first, courtesy of Emily Adler, to mark the tally 2-1.
After a scoreless second inning, the Muleriders found their rhythm and erupted for four runs on four hits in the third. OBU failed to combat the explosion at the bottom of the frame despite placing three on bags, including a loaded base opportunity shut down by three straight outs.
In the next inning, both squads were retired 1-2-3 three before SAU broke the silence with a score to go up 7-1 in the fifth. However, the Bison didn't give in.
Oklahoma Baptist found its way back to home plate with an RBI single from Morgan Max, cutting its deficit to five going into the final inning.
Facing a two-out jam, SAU plated two at the top of the seventh frame for a 9-2 cushion. In OBU's at-bat, Sammie Greene sparked a late surge with a three-run moonshot over the right field wall.
However, the four-run deficit was too great as Southern Arkansas charged on to victory.
Greene and Emily Adler led all batters with two hits apiece, highlighted by Greene's three RBIs and three scored runs.
Three Bison entered the circle, including Aspen Younce (5-2), who took the loss after giving up two earned runs and four hits. Morgan Max and Olivia Cummings came in as relief and twirled 2.1 and 2.0 innings, respectively.
GAME TWO
Oklahoma Baptist carried its seventh-inning momentum into the finale, building a five-run lead in the first frame.
Reagan Ford started her historic day with a triple in the leadoff at-bat to put herself in scoring position. A batter later, E. Adler made it to base on a hit-by-pitch before Max reached on a fielder's choice to load the bags.
Then Kennedy Clark brought two of her teammates in on an RBI double to give OBU its first lead. In the next at-bat, Adi Reese emptied the bases with a three-run shot over center-field for a 5-0 Oklahoma Baptist advantage.
Southern Arkansas responded with a run in the next inning before adding three more scores in the fourth frame to come within one of the green and gold, 5-4.
At the top of the fifth, SAU nearly tied the contest after sending a runner home, but a Sammie Greene and Samantha Campos connection from center field slammed the door shut on the Muleriders' chances.
However, Southern Arkansas broke through in the sixth to tie the contest at six-all.
After making quick work of SAU at the top of the seventh, OBU etched its way into history when Reagan Ford sent a shot into center to cross Alleyna Rushing for the walk-off victory.
Ford and Sydney Adler went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Reese's home run accounted for a team-best three RBIs. It was Reese's sixth homer of the season.
Jones improved her record to 19-5 after fanning four and surrendering four earned scores.
Next up, Oklahoma Baptist will travel to Ada next weekend to take on East Central. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday before wrapping up the series in a finale on Saturday.
