RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The Ouachita softball team fell 7-5 in its series finale against the Golden Suns of Arkansas Tech University on Friday.
After a scoreless start to the third game of the three-game series, Ouachita struck first in the top of the second inning with an RBI single from
Cierra Kemp that allowed
Jordyn Merrett to score, putting the Tigers on top 1-0. Arkansas Tech answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 lead.
The Tigers added a second run in the third with an RBI groundout from
Bella Roseberry that scored
Jessalyn Ahrens, making it a one-run game. However, the Golden Suns again answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 6-2 lead. Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth.
Ouachita added another run in the fifth inning when
Remington Adams came home as Merrett attempted to steal second base, making the score 6-3. Tech plated a run in the sixth inning to make a 7-3 ballgame with Ouachita heading into its final frame.
The Tigers showed a spark in the seventh, scoring two runs and have the go-ahead run at the plate. The first run came when
Laken Golden made it home thanks to a throwing error by Tech. One walk later, a sacrifice fly from Merrett scored
Katelyn Provence to bring the game within two runs with two outs and runners one first and third. But the late rally ended there, and Ouachita fell by the final score of 7-5.
Adams led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with a run scored.
Provence also added a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. The junior from Cave City, Arkansas leads the team with 19 walks so far this season. Four other Tigers also recorded hits in the loss.
Catie Amador got the start for Ouachita and struck out two in 2.0 innings of work but earned the loss.
Haley McAdams and
Maggi Huddleston each gave up just one earned run in their respective relief efforts in the circle. Huddleston only allowed one hit and one run in 1.2 innings of relief work to close out the game for the Tigers.
The Tigers will look to bounce back with a busy week ahead. Ouachita hits the road to take on Union University in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 1 in Jackson, Tennessee, and will then face Delta State in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 2 before hosting Arkansas-Monticello in a three-game GAC series set to start Friday, April 4 at 4 p.m. at Langston Field.
