The Lady Eagles softball team recorded two wins in their doubleheader home opener against Mid-America Christian University, including an 8-0 shutout and sophomore Shea Coats’ first career no-hitter.
It was Oklahoma Christian University’s first no-hitter in almost three years. After pitching a no-hitter in the 8-0 shutout game one at Tom Heath Field, Coats entered game two as a relief, helping secure a 3-2 win.
Sophomore Jordan Chism said a sound defensive front complimented Coats’ performance on the mound.
“We played outstanding defense as a team, and Shea pitched an awesome game,” Chism said.
Only three Lady Evangels reached base in the entire first game.
Oklahoma Christian scored twice in the third inning, sending Kendra Pierce and Courtney Starr home. The team scored twice more in the fifth inning, as Starr and Pierce both crossed the plate again and four times in the sixth as Haley Squier, Sheridan Bond, Starr and Monique Elliot all stepped across home.
According to junior Kelsie Finch, the first team first to put points on the board can make a big impact on a game.
“We have to be the first who score,” Finch said. “We have to set the momentum for the game and never hold anything back.”
The Lady Eagles scored first in game two against MACU, as Elliot and Starr crossed home. But a home run from the Lady Evangels in both the fifth and sixth innings made it a tie game going into the bottom of the sixth.
Madison Nordyke drew a walk, advanced to second base from a groundout and stole third. Bond hit a grounder to the pitcher, but a MACU throwing error gave Nordyke the go-ahead to home, giving Oklahoma Christian a 3-2 lead to close the sixth inning.
After a scoreless seventh inning from MACU, the Lady Eagles recorded their second win of the day, sweeping the Lady Evangels.
Chism said scoring in the first innings and replicating today’s defensive performance could make Oklahoma Christian a competitive force this season.
“Our focus is to work on stringing hits together and keeping the energy up throughout the whole game,” Chism said. “To score early and keep our defense as strong as it was today.”
The Lady Eagles travel to Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Feb. 17.
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