Softball | 2/25/2020 10:29:00 AM
Box Score
GOODWELL, Okla. – Oklahoma Panhandle State University's softball team pushed the NAIA's No 3-ranked team – Oklahoma City University – to the brink, before losing 10-7 in extra innings. The second game was suspended due to weather in the top of the fifth, with the Aggies trailing the Stars 2-0, and will be completed when the two teams meet in OKC later this season.
In game one, it appeared Panhandle had pulled out the walk-off win in regulation. Entering the frame down 7-6,
Kinzie Jones led off with a walk and, with one out, Cameron Pryor doubled to deep right-centerfield to plate Jones with the tying run.
Veronica Ray pinch ran for Pryor, as the
Brissa Rivera reached on a fielding error at third.
Haley Neal then laid down a perfect bunt and the Stars' firstbaseman threw the ball away as Ray scored what appeared to be the winning run. However, the home plate umpire called Neal out for interference, as the runners returned to the bases.
With the second out recorded,
Caitley Adams reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, but Ray was cut down at the plate trying to score, sending the game to the eighth inning. In the extra frame, OCU pushed across three and then held off the Aggies to gain the win, 10-7.
Panhandle State had some clutch hitting early on to even be in position to take down the nationally-ranked Stars in the first place. Down 2-0, the Aggies' first big hit came from senior
Chrislyn Dovers in the bottom of the second. With two out and bases loaded, Dovers laced a base-clearing double to put OPSU on top, 3-2.
Down 7-3 in the bottom of the sixth, Neal had an RBI single and
Sarah Conley drove in another on a fielder's choice. Panhandle scored its sixth run on an OCU fielding error (7-6).
Pryor finished the game going 3-for-3, with two runs scored. Pryor had a double and RBI, while also being hit by a pitch.
Kaylor Battiest went the complete game in absorbing the loss for the Aggies. She struck out four and walked three.
Game two saw OPSU trailing 2-0 in the top of the fifth, when the weather took a turn for the worse and the game was suspended.
