RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Returning home for the first time since March 9 following a successful road trip where they won both series, the Arkansas Tech softball team continues their recent success grinding out the 3-0 game one win over Oklahoma Baptist. Following todays victory, the Golden Suns move to 19-12 overall with a 10-5 record among Great American Conference opponents.
The Golden Suns got right to work in the top of the first on the defensive end recording a swinging strikeout for the first out of the game. A throwing error by Tech would allow the next hitter to reach first, but they would quickly find their composure and collect the other two outs to send out the offense.
While the Bison forced a trio of strikeouts on the first four Golden Sun hitters for their first three outs,
Tymber Riley managed to crush a solo bomb over the center field wall to give them an important 1-0 lead heading into the second inning of play.
Oklahoma Baptist opened the top of the second inning with a single through the left side to record their first hit of the night. A sac bunt to third base would get the Bison batter out at first, but would successfully advance the runner from first to second to put them in scoring position with one out. Once again, the Golden Suns wouldn't be fazed collecting a swinging strikeout and a groundout to second base to hold the Oklahoma Baptist offense once again.
Both sides remained quiet on the offensive end until the bottom of the third inning. Oklahoma Baptist quickly picked up two strikeouts on the first pair of Golden Sun hitters in the bottom of the frame, but walked Riley sending
Kassie Mayberry to the plate. Mayberry busted a big time two out double to left center field and would pick up an RBI as Riley managed to make it it all the home to give the Golden Suns a 2-0 lead as they headed into the fourth inning of play.
The Bison came into the fourth inning determined to get on the board quickly loading the bases with only one out as they mounted pressure on the Golden Sun defense. Arkansas Tech once again held firm on defense as second baseman Riley came up with a beautiful play swinging the ball down to catcher
Savannah Snow to putout out the runner at home and keep Oklahoma Baptist off the board and collecting the second out of the inning. The Golden Suns would collect their final out of the inning with a groundout to first base to escape the bases loaded situation unscathed still holding a 2-0 lead.
Neither side was able to score another run as the defenses for both teams were locked and loaded going three up three down until the bottom of the sixth inning as Tech stepped up for their final at-bats of the evening. Riley would take her base following a walk where Kacie Gibbons would come in to pinch run for the second baseman. Gibbons would advance to second after a groundout to third base to put herself in scoring position as Brook Prewitt approached the plate.
Still in the bottom of the sixth, Prewitt would put the final nail in the coffin for the Golden Suns demolishing a double to right center field to pick up the RBI as Gibbons found her way home to score the final run of the night and give the Golden Suns the 3-0 win over Oklahoma Baptist.
Picking up her first win and making her starting debut in the circle this season for the Golden Suns was
Kaila Cartwright making a strong statement allowing no runs with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work.
Shannon Lasey would replace Cartwright in the circle to start the top of the fifth inning and would close out the game. Lasey would also put in a solid days work holding the Bison scoreless and hitless, while collecting five strikeouts in 3.0 innings.
UP NEXT
The Golden Suns will close out their three-game weekend series at home against Oklahoma Baptist tomorrow with doubleheader action as they look to win their fifth straight conference series. First pitch is slated for noon tomorrow at Chartwells Women's Sports Complex.
