WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The Ouachita softball team rallied back from an early deficit and scored five unanswered runs to secure a series-clinching victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State. 

The Tigers struck first in the second inning as freshman Alaina Lyle reached on a fielding error and senior Jessalyn Ahrens followed with a single up the middle to put her in scoring position. Junior Jordyn Merrett made an early impact and delivered an RBI single to left field, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. 

The Bulldogs responded with a five-spot in the second inning after a fielding error set the stage for redshirt-senior Maddie Rahon, who launched a grand slam to put SWOSU ahead. Ouachita chipped away at the 5-1 deficit as both Lyle and Ahrens got back on base to set the table, then Merrett hit a two-run knock into right-center to trim the deficit to 5-3. 

The Tigers put together a two-out rally in the sixth as junior Karley Burrow kept the inning alive with a single up the middle to flip the lineup back to the top. Redshirt-senior Remington Adams ripped a clutch, two-run homer over the left field wall to even the score at 5-5. Ouachita kept the momentum as junior Emily Reed ignited the seventh with a leadoff double down the left field line, then later scored as Lyle poked a single through the left side to drive in the go-ahead run. 

Sophomore Catie Amador pitched her ninth complete-game of the season, allowing zero earned runs while striking out three. Southwestern Oklahoma State threatened in the final frame by loading the bases, but Amador (8-10) shut the door with a game-ending punchout to claim the series

Ouachita returns to action on Monday and visits UT-Tyler for the last non-conference doubleheader, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.