Extra innings not kind to OC as UCO sweeps
Share
Tweet
March 3, 2019
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 1, 2019) – Not much apparently separates Oklahoma Christian and No. 15-ranked Central Oklahoma, as evidenced by a pair of extra-inning softball thrillers on Friday at Tom Heath Field.
Unfortunately for OC, the breaks fell the Bronchos' way in extra time, thanks to two key hits by Jobi Heath. UCO took the first game 7-5 in eight innings, then held on for a 2-1 win in 10 innings to complete a hard-fought sweep of the Eagles in the cross-Edmond rivalry.
A three-run home run by Bailey Strecker put OC (14-5) ahead 4-1 in the third inning of the first game. But UCO (16-1) rallied to go ahead 5-4 during a three-run sixth-inning outburst that included a two-run single to left-center field by Halley Randolph, who drove in four runs in the game.
In the seventh, Bridget White led off with a single to left field, stole second and scored on an infield single by Strecker to tie the game and force extra innings. After a two-out single by Lindsey Stoeckel, Bailey McKittrick entered the circle for UCO and ended the OC threat, coaxing a fielder's-choice ground ball from Payton Sabolski.
Heath's two-run homer in the eighth inning off OC freshman Kali Crandall (5-2) put the Bronchos up 7-5 and McKittrick blanked OC in the bottom of the inning.
McKittrick (7-0) continued her strong pitching in the second game, dueling with OC starter Kaylie Upton (2-1) nearly all the way.
McKittrick struck out 11 batters and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Hunter Strickland's two-out single up the middle, giving up only three hits while doing the distance. But Upton also blanked the Bronchos until the 10th, surrendering just five hits.
UCO broke through in the 10th. With one out, Hazel Puempel singled to right field and stole second base. Bailey Thompson walked and one out later, both of them scored when Heath doubled to right-center field.
The Eagles rallied in the bottom of the inning. Strickland reached on a fielding error and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Brie Dunckel. One out later, White singled by left to score Strickland and moved to second base when the Bronchos tried unsuccessfully to throw out Strickland. McKittrick struck out Strecker to end the game.
OC will return to action Tuesday, hosting Heartland Conference rival Rogers State for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.
Reader Comments(0)