ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- The Ouachita Lady Tigers softball team (7-6, 3-1 GAC) kicked off conference play with a bang this weekend, taking a four game series from cross-town rival Henderson State (8-9, 1-3 GAC) by winning three of the four games that were played. Ouachita took both games on Saturday, winning by scores of 7-1 and 4-3. They followed those two victories up with another win in the first game on Sunday, winning 2-0 before Henderson captured the last game of the weekend by a score of 4-3.

In the first game of the weekend, the Lady Tigers knocked in six runs during the fifth and sixth innings, sealing a 7-1 victory. Rayn House took the mound for Ouachita, only giving up one run throughout the seven inning game. Ouachita's Alexis Johns and Jocelyn Jones both registered a 2 RBI game, while Sara Strassemeyer added an RBI as well. Johns and Parrish Reed both finished with 2-of-3 performances from the plate. Henderson's Kasey Carlock was handed the loss, giving up three runs, all of which were earned, in her five innings on the mound. Sarah Gipson recorded the only RBI for the Lady Reddies.

In Saturday's second game, the Lady Tigers posted three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, including a walk-off hit by pitch for House. Abbi Frakes took the win for Ouachita, throwing seven innings while only giving up four hits and three runs. Melissa Decker received the loss for the Lady Reddies, giving up all four of the Lady Tigers' runs during her 6.1 innings in the game. Four players recorded RBI's for the Lady Tigers. Breanne Baley posted one of only two extra base hits in the game, recording a double in the second inning. Jones scored both times that she made it on base during the game, providing two of Ouachita's four runs. Gipson registered a 2 RBI game for the Lady Reddies, but it wasn't enough, as Ouachita walked away with a 2-0 series lead going into Sunday.

Ouachita kicked off Sunday's double-header on the right track, registering a 2-0 win. House recorded her second win of the weekend, only giving up six hits in seven innings and not allowing any runs. She recorded five strikeouts. Jones and Bailey Sanders recorded RBI's for the Lady Tigers. Henderson State's six hits all came from different players. Ouachita recorded one run in the first inning and another in the fifth to take the victory, clinching the series victory over the Lady Reddies.

Game four of the series saw a late rally by the Lady Tigers falling short. Frakes was given the loss after giving up four runs and six hits during her 4.2 innings on the mound. Carlock took the victory for the Lady Reddies, giving up three runs and four hits during her seven inning stint on the mound. Ouachita posted three runs in the fifth inning after being down 4-0, but was unable to get anyone across the plate in the sixth or the seventh, ultimately giving Henderson State the 4-3 victory.

Ouachita returns to the diamond on Saturday, when they host Newman University for a four-game weekend series. The first two games will take place at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Complete stats from the games can be found here.

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director