MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Maggie Place broke the Oklahoma Baptist Division II freshman record for wins in OBU's 8-2 victory over Southern Arkansas on Saturday, a part of the squad's split with SAU on the opening day of the weekend series at Dawson Field.
OBU (20-9, 13-2 GAC) fell 2-1 in the inaugural game on a Mulerider (21-10, 10-6 GAC) walk-off in extras.
GAME ONE
Kayleigh Jones and SAU's Brinson Rogers went the distance in the nine-inning clash. Jones surrendered six hits and struck out nine, while Rogers registered 15 punchouts and limited OBU to a pair of connections.
Jones also walked 10 batters, an uncharacteristic-like stat from the fifth-year twirler. This proved detrimental as the winning run initially reached base on a walk. With the loss, Jones' season record dropped to 10-4.
Both pitchers fought out of loaded bases jams through the first couple of innings, escaping unscathed to leave the scoreboard blank going into the third frame.
Southern Arkansas changed that as they scored a run on a double to go ahead 1-0.
The Bison didn't retaliate till the sixth when Morgan Max ripped a 1-0 pitch to left field to bring Adi Reese home and tie the game. Then, extras were called upon after neither moved the needle in the seventh.
In two half-innings, OBU put two on base and struck out four times. Meanwhile, SAU compiled three hits, including the game-clinching score on a single from Bella Angelo.
GAME TWO
The Bison's bats came alive in its second go-around, charting their most hits since March 2.
The offensive onslaught began in the first inning, as OBU posted three runs, including one courtesy of a Southern Arkansas error.
Sammie Greene scored the first run after Ally Ryan reached on a throwing error by SAU's third baseman. Then, a Kennedy Clark single brought in Ryan before Abby Laskowski plated Max on another single.
Oklahoma Baptist tacked on three runs in the fourth, following hits from Emily Adler and Max, and a couple more in the fifth for an 8-2 cushion heading into the bottom of the inning.
Pitcher Maggie Place and company would take care of business from there, limiting the Muleriders to just one hit.
Place surpassed Katie Long's mark for rookie wins, set in 2018, with her eighth victory on Bison Hill. Place denounced four while giving up two runs and nine hits in her fifth complete game this season.
Greene turned in a 3-for-4 showing with an RBI, while E. Adler recorded a pair of hits and brought in two scores. Additionally, Max registered two RBI.
NEXT UP
The clubs return for the series finale tomorrow at 1 p.m.
