EDMOND, Okla. - The Arkansas Tech softball team drops their final two games of the weekend with a 7-12 loss to #16 Central Oklahoma and a close 2-4 loss in extra-innings to Fort Hays State. The Golden Suns end the Edmond Regional Festival going 3-3 on the weekend and currently sit at 9-7 overall for the 2022 season.

GAME ONE
Arkansas Tech opened game one against Central Oklahoma to begin their final day of play. Tech would be unable to find any runs in the opening inning, but Central Oklahoma quickly got on the board with an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first that included a leadoff triple and a two run homerun.

Caitlyn Wells would give the Golden Suns some life in the top of the second inning scoring the only run of the inning with a homerun over the center field wall. The Bronchos would strike right back with another homerun and pour in another four hits before the bottom of the frame was over holding an 8-1 lead over Tech.

Starting the game on the mound was Maddy Prough who collected a strikeout before Kaila Cartwright came in to replace her in the bottom of the second inning.

In the top of the third inning, the Golden Suns would look to Shelby Chavers to put a couple runs on the board as she headed to the plate following a double by Kassie Mayberry. Chavers would deliver with a two run bomb to right center to make it an 8-3 game. Once again the Bronchos would find away to mount the pressure scoring another two runs to extend their lead to 10-3 heading into the fourth inning. 

To start the bottom of the fourth, Wells would replace Cartwright on the mound and would finish the game there.

Both sides stayed quiet in the fourth inning, but Tech was able to score three runs in the top of the fifth inning off of four hits. Jessica Williams got things started with a leadoff homerun out to left center field. Chavers and Tymber Riley would hit back-to-back singles and then both find themselves in scoring position after Chavers advanced to third and Riley to second following a wild pitch. Holly Crutchfield would drive in the final two runs of the inning with a strong double sending Chavers and Riley home to make it a 6-10 game for Arkansas Tech.

The Golden Suns headed into the top of the sixth still down 6-10 but would tack on another run. Mayberry would crush a two out single and Chavers would take her base following a hit by pitch to put Mayberry in scoring position as Riley headed to the plate. Riley smashed a single up the left side to score Mayberry from second to close the gap once again making it a 7-10 game heading into the bottom of the sixth. 

The Bronchos would score their final two runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth closing the door on a comeback for the Golden Suns taking the 12-7 win.

GAME TWO
The Golden Suns took on Fort Hays State for their final game of the Edmond Regional Festival. Both sides opened the first two innings of action scoreless and Tech would hold Fort Hays quiet again in the top of the third inning. The Tigers would not be able to say the same in the bottom of the third.

Chavers got things rolling in the bottom of the third with a leadoff single for the first hit of the inning as Riley approached the plate. Riley would crush a missile down the left field line picking up two RBI's and giving the Golden Suns a 2-0 lead. Wells would pick up the second hit of the inning with a single and Crutchfield would collect the final hit of the inning reaching first on a fielder's choice.

Both sides were once again silent offensively in the fourth inning. The Tigers would finally put themselves on the board in the top of the fifth inning off a homerun to left center field but would be unable to find another run as Tech still led 2-1 after five.

Fort Hays would tie the game in the top of sixth off a single that scored the runner at second to make it an even 2-2 ballgame. Neither side would be able to score again in the sixth or seventh innings, forcing the game to head to extra-innings.

In the top of the eighth, the Golden Suns would walk the first batter who would then advance to second base on a wild pitch and then finish at third off a sac fly. The Tigers would use this to their advantage to deal the final damage in the game with a two run homerun in the top of the eighth that would secure them the narrow 4-2 win.

On the mound for the Golden Suns was Bailey Buffington who pitched a complete game. With her eight innings of work, Buffington collected eight total strikeouts and moved to 4-2 overall on the season.

UP NEXT
The Golden Suns next outing will begin conference play for the 2022 season as they head to Ada, Okla. to take on East Central. Tech will open up the series with a doubleheader on Friday, February 25 with first pitch set for noon and will close out the weekend with the final game on Saturday, February 26 also set for a noon first pitch.