ARKADELPHIA — The Ouachita softball team lost 8-0 in Friday's finale to drop the home opener series against Union (Tenn.) at Langston Field.
The Bulldogs (3-8) wasted no time to strike first in the rubber match and plated two runs in the opening frame. Union added to its advantage with a three-run fourth inning that stretched the lead to 6-0, then capped it off with two more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
The Tigers were credited with just one base hit as freshman Alaina Lyle pulled a pitch up the middle past the reaching glove of Union's second baseman. The early base runner sparked an opportunity in the second inning as sophomore Laken Golden entered in for Lyle as a pinch-runner and stole second base to get into scoring position.
Union senior pitcher Riley Vaughn forced an infield pop out, then got out of the inning with a strikeout. Vaughn (1-4) tossed a complete game one-hitter as she struck out six and retired 21 out of 22 batters faced to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard.
Sophomore pitcher Catie Amador (1-3) drew the start in the circle for Ouachita and allowed three runs before getting pulled in the second inning. Lyle provided relief over the next two frames and surrendered three runs, then junior Jayden Galindo pitched four innings to help stabilize the Tigers before giving up two insurance runs in the seventh.
Union finished with 11 hits and 16 total base runners compared to the lone single for Ouachita. The Tigers aim to discover an offensive rhythm after being held scoreless for the first time in the 2026 season.
The series loss drops the Tigers to 2-7 as they look to regroup heading into Great American Conference play next weekend at East Central.
