ADA, Okla. – The Arkansas Tech softball team overcame an early 5-0 deficit and tied the game in the top of the fifth, but ultimately lost in the bottom of the seventh as East Central picked up the walk-off victory in the opening game of the series on Friday.
That early lead for ECU came in their half of the first inning as they scored five runs on five hits.
That score held until the top of the fourth when the Golden Suns broke through on the scoreboard and scored twice on four hits. That inning was started off by an infield single to the pitcher by
Maycie Hardy.
Brooklyn Haney then came on to pinch-run for Hardy and quickly moved up to second on single up the middle by
Sydney Keaton.
Sharlee Jackson then followed with a single of her own as the Golden Suns loaded the bases with no outs. The first run of the inning scored in the next at-bat as
Aidan Gorton singled to centerfield to score Haney.
Abigail Lochala then drove in the second run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
After the Golden Suns got on the board, they turned to their bullpen and brought in
Jaycee McKee to start the fourth inning. McKee would allow a couple of hits in the inning, but got out of the inning without allowing a run.
In the next half inning, the Golden Suns struck for three runs on three hits to tie the game at five-all.
Arrisa Harrish led that inning off with a bunt single. Three batters later, the bases were loaded with out after singles from
Shelby Chavers and Hardy. The first run would come across on a bases loaded walk drawn by Keaton. Jackson was then walked as well in the next at-bat to push across the second run. The third and final run came home on a sacrifice fly to right field by Gorton.
McKee would hold the Tigers scoreless in the bottom half of the inning and neither team scored in the sixth to bring the game to the seventh.
In the top of the frame, the Golden Suns got a leadoff double by Keaton and moved her to third in the very next at-bat on a sacrifice bunt. Unfortunately, Keaton would be stranded at third in the inning as the Tigers escaped the inning without any damage.
They would then take advantage of a leadoff single in their half of the seventh and came up with a clutch two-out hit to score the winning run.
The Golden Suns and Tigers will turnaround and play a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon to end the weekend series. The doubleheader is scheduled to start at Noon.
