Box Score
ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- All of the momentum that was built up by the Ouachita Lady Tiger softball team over the weekend in a four game sweep of Southwestern Oklahoma seemed to disappear on Monday night after a 4-2 loss to Midwestern State, who received votes in the National Top 25 poll.
 
The Lady Tigers (13-24) fell behind early due to the Mustangs (25-11) finding a way to load the bases early. Ouachita's Abbi Frakes proceeded to strike out two batters and it looked like she was going to get out of the jam, but a throwing error allowed a runner to score and gave Midwestern a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
 
MSU's Katelyn Vinson, who finished the game with a 2-of-3 performance from the plate and an RBI, gave the Mustangs another run in the top of the second with a solo home run blast over the left field wall.
 
The Lady Tigers were finally able to get something going in the sixth inning, when Jocelyn Jones, who recorded the only RBI of the game for Ouachita, singled on a bunt and scored Parrish Reed from third base. They weren't done yet though, as they would go on to tie the game.
 
Nici Starkey, who came in as a pinch runner for Jones, stole second and put herself in scoring position soon after. She then tested her luck and stole third, before an erred throw from Midwestern's catcher sailed over the head of the third baseman and allowed her to score, tying the game heading into the seventh inning.
 
Midwestern wasn't shaken by Ouachita's rally though, as two runs in the top of the seventh, coming on a walk and a sacrifice fly to center, proved to be the difference in a 4-2 final.
 
Despite taking the loss, Frakes recorded 11 strikeouts in seven innings of work.
 
The Lady Tigers jump back into Great American Conference play on Friday, when they travel to Alva, Oklahoma to match up with the Rangers of Northwestern Oklahoma State. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director