PITTSBURG, Kan. – Oklahoma Baptist defeated Southern Arkansas 8-4 before falling 4-2 in a win-or-go-home game against top-seeded Pittsburg State, pulling their name from competition at the NCAA DII Central Regional Championship on Friday afternoon.
OBU (41-14, 30-3 GAC) cruised past SAU (34-19, 21-12 GAC) on the back of a 14-hit game, their most connections in a contest since early April, but couldn't overcome a two-run deficit versus the Gorillas (53-7, 23-3 MIAA).
The Bison's magical year featured its second-straight NCAA tournament appearance, Great American Conference regular season title, and 40-win season.
GAME ONE VERSUS SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
Oklahoma Baptist put batters on bags quickly and often, beginning with back-to-back singles from Adi Reese and Sammie Greene. Emily Adler recorded a sacrifice bunt in the next at-bat to advance Reese into scoring position.
Moments later, Reese scored on a SAU fielding error before Morgan Max made her way around following another miscue from the Muleriders.
OBU matched the output in the next frame, plating two more off the bat of E. Adler for a 4-0 cushion.
In the third, Ryan blasted a solo shot over right-center to break the single-season program record for home runs. With dinger No. 18, the sophomore passed Jayme Boyer's record that stood since 2007.
Then Ryan would be hit by a pitch with loaded bases in the fourth, prompting a free pass for Sammie Greene across home plate.
Southern Arkansas finally came alive in the next stanza, scoring three runs on five hits to trim their deficit to 6-3. However, OBU tacked on a couple more after an E. Adler double to widen their advantage.
SAU scored once more in the sixth, but it was to no avail as Maggie Place and company wrapped up the victory without another blemish.
Place scattered 10 hits and three walks while striking out five in her 10th complete game effort this season. She also forced 10 fly-outs and six ground-outs. Place's freshman campaign ends with a 17-8 program-best record for rookies.
Greene went 3-for-3 and scored two runs, while E. Adler posted a season high in RBI (4). Reese, Ryan, Warden, and S. Adler also recorded two hits apiece.
GAME TWO VERSUS PITTSBURG STATE
Oklahoma Baptist fell into a two-run hole in the inaugural inning, but a Pitt State fielding error allowed OBU to come within one score at the bottom of the first. They'd chart another score on a Reese double in the next frame to tie the game at 2-2.
Then, the Gorillas scored two more across the next three frames to put the Bison down 4-2.
In the fifth, OBU threatened as E. Adler put Greene in scoring position on a single. However, the first-base umpire ruled that Greene left the bag early, which sent her to the dugout before E. Adler grounded out to put two outs on the board.
PSU retired the side a few batters later to escape the inning unharmed.
That was the last time Oklahoma Baptist threatened as the Gorillas marched on to victory.
Kayleigh Jones (21-5) suffered just her fifth loss of the season after twirling the 78th complete game of her career. She gave up nine hits, walked two, and struck out a batter.
Furthermore, Reese produced the lone RBI for OBU.
