EDMOND, Okla. - Following a hot 2-0 start to the Edmond Regional Festival in Oklahoma, the Arkansas Tech softball team splits day two with a 12-2 five-inning run-rule win against Nebraska-Kearney in game one and a narrow 4-5 loss to Lubbock Christian in the second game of the day. Heading into the final day of play tomorrow, the Golden Suns sit at 3-1 on the weekend. For the season, Tech moves to 9-5 overall.

GAME ONE
In the opening game of day two against Nebraska-Kearney, Arkansas Tech got off to a hot start plating four runs off of four hits to take a 4-0 lead. 

Makenzie Goins struck the first blow with a one out two run bomb picking up two RBI's. Caitlyn Wells followed with a single in the next at-bat. Holly Crutchfield delivered the other two runs in the bottom of the first inning hitting the second two run homer of the inning and picking up two RBI's in the process. The Golden Suns held the Lopers scoreless again in the top of the second bringing back out the offense.

In the bottom of the second, Arkansas Tech continued to come up with big hits grabbing three runs off two hits. Tymber Riley got things started following a lead off walk for Shelby Chavers and launched the third two run missile to pick up two RBI's sending Goins back up to the plate. Goins would take her base following a walk and Wells would crush a double to send Goins home giving the Golden Suns a 7-0 lead.

The Lopers would get their first run on the board in the top of the third scoring off a baserunner off a double. Heading into the bottom of the frame, the Golden Suns quickly loaded the bases after a single from Kassie Mayberry and two hit by pitches for Riley and Chavers. Goins picked up her third RBI of the game scoring Mayberry on a walk. Wells would reach first on a fielders choice which allowed Chavers to score, but an error by the Lopers scored Riley and put Goins at third. Brooke Prewitt would score the final run of the inning sending a double down the left field line to bring in Goins and give Tech an 11-1 lead heading into the fourth innings of play.

The Lopers would pick up their second and final run of the day in the top of the fourth inning off a homerun. Tech would close out their own scoring effort in the bottom of the frame with one more run. Pinch hitting for Mayberry was Chloe Bryant who crushed her first career homerun as a member of the Golden Suns to put up the twelfth and final run for Arkansas Tech in the bottom of the fourth inning.

On the mound, Maddy Prough collected her fourth win of the season following her four innings of work and four strikeouts to put her at 4-1 on the season. Kaila Cartwright took over for Prough on the mound for the final inning and collected a strikeout to close out the game and give the Golden Suns their 12-2 run-rule victory over Nebraska-Kearney.

GAME TWO
In the second game of the day against Lubbock Christian, Arkansas Tech was held scoreless for the first two innings of play.

The Chaps managed to put up a run in the first inning of play to take an early 1-0 lead. Lubbock Christian extended that lead in the bottom of the second scoring four runs that included a two run homer and a triple to put them up 5-0 heading into the top of the third.

The Golden Suns found some life in the third inning putting up three hits and driving in three runs. Mayberry began the sequence with a single and would advance to third off a throwing error by the Chaps first baseman putting herself in scoring position. Chavers would take full advantage of the situation and send out a two run bomb to collect two RBI's and make it a 2-5 game with Lubbock Christian still in front. The next at-bat Riley launched another homerun over the left-center wall for Tech making it a 3-5 game. The Chaps would collect three more outs before more damage could be done as they headed into the top of the fourth.

Both sides would stay quiet in the fourth and fifth innings. Tech would find another run in the top of the sixth inning to close the gap. Prewitt would start with a lead off walk and advance to second following Kaylyn Aguirre's ground out to shortstop putting herself into scoring position. Jessica Williams drove in Prewitt to score with a single to make it a 4-5 Chaps lead. The Golden Suns would be unable to find another run and would drop a close 4-5 game against Lubbock Christian.

After the second inning, the Golden Suns brought in Cartwright to replace Shannon Lasey on the mound. Lasey picked up her third loss of the season and picked up two strikeouts in her two innings. Cartwright pitched the remaining four inning and collected three strikeouts while only allowing a single hit by the Chaps.

UP NEXT
The Golden Suns will wrap up their final day at the Edmond Regional Festival tomorrow going head-to-head against #16 Central Oklahoma and Fort Hays State. First pitch is slated for 12:15 p.m. tomorrow afternoon against Central Oklahoma, with the matchup against Fort Hays State set to go directly following the conclusion of the Central Oklahoma game.