MAGNOLIA, Ark. -- Oklahoma Baptist (40-12, 26-6 GAC) got some timely hitting and complete-game pitching performances to defeat No. 8 (NFCA) Southern Arkansas by 3-2 and 4-3 scores on Saturday. Should the Bison win tomorrow, they'll clinch the No. 1 seed for the Great American Conference and a share of the GAC Regular Season Title.
GAME ONE
Oklahoma Baptist edged SAU 3-2 in a tightly contested pitcher's duel, using timely power and a complete-game effort in the circle to secure the win.
The Bison struck immediately in the top of the first when
Kaley Cook launched a solo home run to left, setting the tone early. The Bison added to its lead in the fourth frame, capitalizing on a defensive miscue before
Nichelle Marshall blasted a two-run homer to left center, pushing the advantage to 3-0.
That cushion proved just enough for
Jaycee Shaffer, who delivered a strong performance in the circle. The right-hander went the distance, allowing two runs on eight hits while working around five walks and striking out five across seven innings. She consistently escaped jams, stranding 12 runners and keeping Southern Arkansas off the board through six frames.
Southern Arkansas threatened throughout, collecting eight hits, including three from Regan Dillon, but struggled to convert with runners in scoring position. The Muleriders finally broke through in the seventh when Brooklyn Reed crushed a two-run homer to right center, cutting the deficit to one. However, Shaffer regrouped to record the final two outs and seal the victory.
Cook led the Bison offense with three hits, while Marshall drove in two runs.
GAME TWO
Oklahoma Baptist outlasted the hosts in a nine-inning thriller, earning a 4-3 victory behind a complete-game effort from
Jaycee Kelln.
The Muleriders struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and free passes to take a 2-0 lead. Sophia Luetticke delivered an RBI single, and America Rubio followed with a bases-loaded walk to plate another run.
OBU answered in the fourth, manufacturing a pair of runs to even the score.
Haley Hacker lined an RBI single to left, and
Abby Laskowski added a sacrifice fly to bring home the tying run.
From there, both pitchers settled in. Kelln worked out of multiple jams, scattering six hits and striking out four across nine innings, while Southern Arkansas starter Kassie Rhodes kept the Bison off the board into the late innings.
The breakthrough came in the ninth. After a leadoff walk and single,
Katelyn Kilgore ripped an RBI double down the right-field line to give OBU its first lead. Moments later,
Ally Ryan lifted a sacrifice fly, pushing the advantage to 4-2.
Southern Arkansas threatened in the bottom half, as Luetticke launched a solo homer to cut the deficit to one. However, Kelln retired the final batter to seal the win.
Kaley Cook led OBU with two hits, while Kilgore and Hacker each drove in a run in the clutch victory.
