SHAWNEE – Down two scores going into the bottom of the fifth inning, Oklahoma Baptist (7-6, 1-0 GAC) scored four unanswered runs to defeat Harding (8-6, 0-1 GAC) 4-2 in their conference-opening matchup on Friday night at Bison Softball Park.
The victory moves OBU's record above .500, 7-6, and its GAC mark to 1-0 ahead of tomorrow's doubleheader with HU. It's the third consecutive season the Bison have started conference action with a win.
Kayleigh Jones earned her fifth victory of the year after going the distance, compiling seven strikeouts while surrendering two earned runs and a couple of hits. Jones' season record improved to 5-2.
In the batter's box, five different Bison registered hits. Ally Ryan charted two RBI, while Sammie Greene and Adi Reese also brought in runs.
Jones mowed through six Harding batters before a double from Kaya Lee landed the opposition's first score. Thankfully, in the next at-bat, Jones forced a fly-out that turned into a double-play after Lee failed to tag up.
Harding tacked on another in the next frame, courtesy of a sacrifice fly.
OBU found its rhythm at the bottom of the fifth, beginning with an Ayzia Shirey single. Then, Emily Adler reached base on a fielder's choice before Greene brought Shirey home for the Bison's first score.
In the next at-bat, Ryan smashed the first pitch into centerfield to plate two more, ahead of a Reese double that scored Meghan Roberts for a 4-2 tally.
Jones didn't allow a hit the rest of the way, as a stingy Bison defense paved the way for the program's seventh win of the season.
NEXT UP
Oklahoma Baptist returns for the series' final two games against Harding, set to begin at noon.
