Alva Review-Courier -

MAIZE, Kan. (March 30, 2019) – After a disappointing loss last Saturday to St. Edward's (Texas), Oklahoma Christian had to wait a full week for a chance for redemption. The Eagles took full advantage against Newman (Kan.).

OC pounded out 23 hits and received strong pitching performances from Madison Hagood and Kali Crandall to beat the Jets 7-1 and 8-0 on Saturday at Maize High School, where the softball games were moved after rain on Friday and early Saturday rendered the field at Newman unplayable.

OC (25-6, 9-3 Heartland Conference) remained atop the league standings while Newman (8-22, 2-17) remained in the cellar.

Every OC starter but one had at least two hits in the doubleheader. In the opener, Daelyn Denny went 3 for 4 for the Eagles, who had four extra-base hits, including triples by Lindsey Stoeckel and Bailey Strecker. Stoeckel's triple off Newman starter Bailey Bugner (2-6) highlighted a three-run third inning that gave the Eagles a 4-0 lead.

Hagood (12-3), a senior from Comanche, Texas, allowed only three hits and struck out four batters with no walks while pitching her eighth complete game of the season.

It was more of the same in the second game. Bridget White went 3 for 4 for the Eagles while Kayla Eichler, Stoeckel and Sydney Smith each drove in two runs. Eichler's two-run double to left-center in the first inning off Newman pitcher Dominique Payne (3-8) put OC ahead.

Smith hit a two-run pinch-hit double in the sixth to make it 6-0 and Stoeckel smacked her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the seventh.

Crandall (7-2) matched Hagood, allowing three hits, striking out five and walking two while allowing only one Newman runner to reach third base. It was the fourth complete game of the season for the freshman from Artesia, N.M.

The series finale will be at noon Sunday, tentatively scheduled to be played on Newman's campus in Wichita.