ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita softball team lost 6-4 Tuesday to cross-street rival Henderson State in a midweek ballgame.
The Tigers showcased resilience after falling behind 3-0 early, breaking through in the third inning. After junior Crissa Ahrens worked a leadoff walk., freshman Morgan Uher delivered a spark with a laser over the left-center wall for a two-run homer.
In the circle, senior Hannah Hunter retired the side in order in the bottom of the third to preserve momentum for the Tigers. Hunter allowed five runs, but held the Reddies to just two extra-base hits in four innings.
Ouachita seized the lead in the fourth after Jordyn Merrett, Reagan McCoy and Ahrens strung together three consecutive singles to load the bases. Redshirt-senior Remington Adams lifted a sacrifice fly to drive in Merrett from third base. The Tigers took a 4-3 lead as Uher came through again with an RBI single up the middle to score McCoy just before the final out was made on a play at third.
The Reddies (10-16) instantly responded after freshman Tatum Bittick set the tone with a double into the right-center gap. With the bases juiced, redshirt-sophomore Sam Flores hit a liner just beyond the reach of a diving right fielder to plate two runs as the Reddies reclaimed a 5-4 lead. Henderson State added insurance later after Bittick led off the sixth with a single to center, then redshirt-junior Mazzi Jones drove in Bittick with an RBI single to center.
Ouachita threatened but could not rally down the stretch as Henderson State's pitching held firm over the final innings. The loss marks the seventh straight for the Tigers (8-16), who will look to regroup at home this weekend. Ouachita hosts Oklahoma Baptist for a three-game series beginning Friday, with first pitch set for 4 p.m.
