EDMOND, Okla. – Morgan Max drove in three runs while pitcher Kayleigh Jones surrendered one earned run in the circle to help Oklahoma Baptist capture its first victory in the NCAA Tournament in program history.
The Bison (44-10) took down 4-seed Harding (44-13) 4-2 in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Central Regional I Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Gerry Pinkston Stadium.
Max's bat and the ball had a special connection today, as two of her three plate appearances resulted in hits. It was her 13th multi-hit game of the season.
Jones twirled a complete 7.0 innings while giving up one earned run en route to her 31st win of 2023. Jones didn't walk a batter and fanned four of the 28 Bisons she faced.
Sammie Greene tallied two of OBU's six hits, while scoring two runs and driving in another. Reagan Ford and Sydney Adler registered a hit apiece. Ford added a stolen base, her 19th of the season.
In the inaugural frame, a Green two-out single put the first Bison on base. Facing a 2-2 count, Max doubled to left center in the next at-bat to plate Greene for the game's first score.
Jones and company blanked the opposition at the bottom of the inning, as Harding left two on base after doubling in its second at-bat.
Following a silent second frame, Oklahoma Baptist found its rhythm again. This time, a Greene single through the middle gap scored one for a two-run cushion. The runner, Sydney Adler, reached base on a single.
In the next at-bat, Max's bat rang true once more. She singled through the same middle sweet spot to allow two Bison to cross, prompting a 4-0 advantage.
However, the momentum didn't faze HU as a run in the bottom of the third cut the deficit to three.
Neither club made a dent in the scoresheet over the next two innings until a sacrifice fly from Harding's Emma Curry drew the tally within two. Afterward, Jones quickly reclaimed the reins and struck out the next two to retire HU.
In the seventh, Oklahoma Baptist stuck to their guns as a final strikeout from Jones sealed the deal on the biggest win in program history.
The Bison return tomorrow for a 1 p.m. matchup against top-seed and No. 4-ranked Central Oklahoma. UCO dominated Southeastern Oklahoma State 5-0 in Thursday's opening game.
