SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist (9-6, 3-0 GAC) racked up 12 runs and 22 hits to defeat Harding (8-8, 0-3 GAC) in Saturday's doubleheader, earning the series sweep over HU for the first time in program history.
OBU dominated game one 6-1 before taking the final contest 6-5 to remain perfect in conference play. The Bison improved to 9-6 overall with a 3-0 GAC record and have won four straight.
Freshman pitcher Maggie Place collected wins in both games, posting an era of 0.95 across 7.1 innings of action. Place surrendered one earned run while striking out three and limiting Harding to a .214 batting average while in the circle.
Morgan Max paired a .800 batting average with a 1.400 slugging percentage and .833 on-base mark. Max hit 4-for-5 today, scored twice, and smacked a home run. Additionally, she totaled seven bags and accounted for two RBI.
GAME ONE
The visitors grabbed a 1-0 lead after a score in the opening frame, but that'd be the extent of their good fortune.
At the bottom of the second, Oklahoma Baptist tied the game after Max sent a moonshot over the right-field wall. OBU tacked on five more in the next frame after Place, who started in the pitching lane, and company took care of things defensively at the top of the third.
The five-hit, five-run inning began with a Sammie Greene single out to center field. Then, Ally Ryan brought Reagan Ford, who reached base on a walk, across home plate for a 2-1 lead.
Max brought in Greene in the next at-bat before Ryan made her way around on a wild pitch.
An Ayzia Shirey sacrifice fly scored Max before Adi Reese made it home on a Cassidy Morrow single for the inning's final run.
Only three Harding batters made it to base the rest of the way, as Place's composure in the circle proved too much for the opposition.
Max and Greene each recorded a pair of hits, highlighted by a couple of RBI from Max. Ryan, Shirey, and Morrow also brought in scores. Furthermore, Reese charted a stolen bag.
Place tossed a complete game, fanning three of the 28 batters she faced. Place gave up six hits and didn't walk a batter.
GAME TWO
OBU carried its momentum into the final game, as Ryan homered in the first inning to put the Bison up 2-0. Harding retaliated with a home run in the next frame to draw the tally 2-1.
Almost three innings passed before Oklahoma Baptist recorded the game's next score, a Morrow single that brought in Meghan Roberts.
Then, in the sixth, Reese doubled through the left side to give the green and gold a four-run cushion.
However, Harding found its rhythm and scored four at the top of the seventh to tie the game, leaving it up to OBU's bats.
Emily Adler answered the bell in walk-off fashion with a sacrifice fly that swung around Ford for the game's final run.
Kayleigh Jones twirled 6.2 innings before being relieved by Place. Jones struck out three while giving up three earned runs. Place entered with two outs in the seventh to get OBU out the inning.
At the plate, four tallied a pair of hits. Greene was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Max Morrow notched hits in both of their appearances in the batter's box.
Charting stolen bases for OBU were Greene, Adler, and Ford.
NEXT UP
Oklahoma Baptist returns home next weekend for a three-game series with Northwestern Oklahoma State. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
