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 earned her 20th career win at Ouachita after allowing zero earned runs in the finale. 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.
