ARKADELPHIA — After Henderson State took Game 2 by a final score of 6-3 to force a rubber match, Ouachita responded emphatically and erupted for a 9-0 run-rule victory Saturday to secure the Battle of the Ravine series at Langston Field during Mike McGhee Alumni Weekend. The Tigers (20-28, 14-16 GAC) have won six of their last seven games, while they have captured all five series in April heading into the final week of the regular season.

Ouachita wasted no time setting the tone in the series finale. Redshirt-senior Remington Adams led off with a single to right field, then later came around to score on a two-out RBI single up the middle by junior Emily Reed, giving the Tigers an early lead. Ouachita broke the game open in the third inning when the first five hitters reached safely. After freshman Addison Davidson reached on a fielding error to load the bases, senior Jessalyn Ahrens drove in another run on a fielder's choice to increase the lead to 2-0.

Moments later with runners on the corners, junior Jordyn Merrett launched a three-run laser well beyond the left field wall to stretch the lead to 5-0. Merrett capped an astounding week at the plate, finishing 9-for-11 with five home runs across five games. The Wylie, Texas native hit for the home run cycle against the Reddies with 10 RBI. She homered twice in the earlier loss Saturday before delivering a series-defining swing in the finale.

Ouachita kept the pressure on in the fourth, repeating itself by getting the first five batters aboard and ultimately plated four more runs to put the game out of reach. With the bases loaded, Reed beat out an infield single through the left side to drive in another run. Two freshmen added on as Addison Davidson was hit by a pitch to force in another run, then Alaina Lyle scored from third on a wild pitch. Ahrens put the finishing touch on the series, adding an insurance run with an RBI groundout.

Sophomore Catie Amador, the Great American Conference Pitcher of the Week, was in complete command and tossed her fifth career shutout in five innings. Amador (10-11) allowed just three hits while striking out four batters to seal the run-rule victory.

Ouachita closes out the regular season next weekend, hosting Southeastern Oklahoma State. The series opener is scheduled for 4 p.m. next Friday at Langston Field.