EDMOND, Okla. – Oklahoma Baptist (1-4) dropped both of its games on the opening day of the OC/UCO Invitational, falling 6-4 against Pittsburg State (7-0) and 5-2 versus No. 3 Central Oklahoma (2-4).
Despite recording seven hits on the day, the Bison allowed 21 connections among four pitchers. It's the most hits allowed in back-to-back contests since 2022.
Sophomore Ally Ryan paced OBU with two hits and two RBI, including her second career home run. Sophomore catcher Hailey Stanford had a two run-shot in game two, the first of her career. The duo combined for nine total bags, led by Ryan's five.
GAME ONE VERSUS PITTSBURG STATE
Kayleigh Jones and company made quick work of the Gorillas in the inaugural inning, striking out two of the four batters.
Jones' momentum remained intact at the top of the second frame, retiring PSU 1-2-3 again. Then, Ryan put the Bison on the board with a sacrifice fly that brought Morgan Max across home plate for a 1-0 lead. However, the success ceased as OBU's next two at-bats were strikeouts.
Oklahoma Baptist charted runs in the next two innings, courtesy of an Adi Reese sacrifice fly in the third and a Ryan homer in the fourth.
Unfortunately, Pitt State's bats came alive in the sixth and produced four runs to go ahead by one, 4-3. OBU returned the favor at the bottom of the inning on a Max double out to left field.
PSU broke the knot with two more scores in the seventh before sealing their victory at the bottom of the frame.
Jones twirled 5.0 innings before exiting the contest with an injury. She struck out six and gave up three hits. Jaycee Shaffer and Maggie Place stepped into the circle next, pitching an inning each. Shaffer surrendered four runs and struck out one, while Place gave up two scores.
In the batter's box, Ryan recorded two RBI while Reese and Max also brought in a run.
GAME TWO VERSUS CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Baptist jumped to a 2-0 lead after a Hailey Stanford home run over left field in the second inning. At the bottom of the frame, UCO posted four runs on four hits to take a 4-2 advantage.
That would be the last of OBU's good fortune as Central Oklahoma limited OBU to one hit the rest of the way and tacked on another run to close out the win.
Maggie Place gave up five runs on eight hits in 5.0 innings of work before being relieved by Morgan Max. Max twirled one frame and struck out two without giving up a score.
Stanford steered the Bison with two RBI while Ayzia Shirey and Ryan collected a hit apiece.
NEXT UP
Oklahoma Baptist returns tomorrow for games against Rogers State at 1:30 p.m. and Oklahoma Christian at 6:00 p.m.
Both games will be played at OC's Tom Heath Field in Oklahoma City, Okla.
