Alva Review-Courier -

LAREDO, Texas (March 17, 2018) – Kayla Eichler's first home run of the 2018 softball season came at an opportune time for Oklahoma Christian on Saturday afternoon at Texas A&M International.

The junior outfielder from Edmond hit a two-run shot in the top of the eighth and pitcher Madison Hagood made it stand up in the bottom of the inning, giving the Lady Eagles a 3-1 win at Dustdevil Field.

OC (15-15, 6-7 Heartland Conference) salvaged its final game of the regular season against TAMIU (12-22, 9-7) after dropping three of the first four meetings against the Dustdevils.

OC pitcher Madison Nordyke and her TAMIU counterpart, Melanie Lint, locked in a scoreless shootout through five innings. Nordyke opened the top of the sixth with a single up the middle and Bailey Strecker sacrificed her to second base. Kaylie Upton followed with a single up the middle to score Nordyke.

The Dustdevils quickly responded, as Alyssa Acuna – who had three of their five hits – singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth off Nordyke and took second on a wild pitch by Upton. An infield single by Sara Caterson moved pinch-runner Krystal Perez to third base and Perez scored on a groundout by Avianna Galvan.

In the bottom of the seventh, TAMIU's Maya Paul walked with one out and stole second base, but OC's third pitcher of the game, Madison Hagood (4-8), retired the next two batters to end the threat.

In the eighth, Upton drew a one-out walk from Delainy Thompson (5-9) before Eichler homered over the left-field fence. Hagood retired the Dustdevils in order in the bottom of the inning to seal the win.

OC's 16-game road stretch will continue Monday, when the Lady Eagles will visit Lone Star Conference foe Texas A&M-Kingsville for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.