Ouachita Baptist University Athletics

ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita softball team came within one swing of flipping its final home series on Saturday, but ultimately got swept by Southeastern Oklahoma State, losing all three games by a single run at Langston Field. The Tigers finished the regular season 5-13 in games decided by one run. 

Ouachita struck first in Game 2 after junior Emily Reed delivered a two-out RBI double to right field as freshman Morgan Uher scored from first base. Southeastern answered in the third as sophomore Keegan Rowland advanced to third base on a passed ball, then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game 1-1. Later in the inning, senior Illiana Olivares reached on a fielder's choice as sophomore Susan Edwards slid home safely before the tag to give the Storm a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers strung together three consecutive base hits to load the bases in the bottom of the third, then evened the score as freshman Addison Davidson reached safely on a fielding error. The deadlock held until the fifth, when Edwards led off with a single to left field, then advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Freshman Tally Rowland later hit an RBI single into the gap in right-center to drive in the go-ahead run, which proved to be the difference. 

Ouachita threatened late and managed to load the bases in both the sixth and seventh frame, but could not push across the equalizer as Southeastern won Game 2 by a 3-2 final score. Southeastern junior pitcher Alyson Malone went the distance to earn the win, while freshman Ryleigh Stinson took the loss in relief. 

Southeastern never trailed in the 2-1 series finale win. Rowland sparked the second inning with a leadoff double through the gap in left-center, then later scored on a two-out double down the left field line by senior India McMurray as the Storm seized an early lead. 

Ouachita answered in the third as Reed punched the 19th home run of her junior season beyond the center field wall to tie the game and extend her own single-season program record. The junior slugger led the Tigers with three hits and two RBI, while her 19 homers are tied for second nationally in Division II.

Southeastern found a response in the fifth as sophomore Trinity Oden helped her own cause and launched a no-doubt homer over the right field wall. With the tying run in scoring position in the seventh, Oden secured a game-ending strikeout to seal the sweep. Sophomore Catie Amador went the distance and held the Storm to just two runs and five hits, but took the loss in the finale. 

Despite the setback, Ouachita earned a spot in next week's Great American Conference softball tournament, hosted in Bentonville, Ark. The Tigers fell to the eighth seed after enduring the sweep and could open tournament play against nationally ranked No. 8 Southern Arkansas. Ouachita could move up to the seventh seed, depending on Sunday's conference results between East Central and Henderson State.