Lady Eagles shut out Oklahoma Wesleyan in game two, split series

Kendra Pierce had the game-winning RBI single for OC in the Lady Eagles' win over Central Oklahoma. — Senior Kendra Pierce bats in the win against the University of Central Oklahoma on Feb. 22. *Online Photo*

The Oklahoma Christian University softball team shut out Oklahoma Wesleyan University 13-0 in the second game of a double-header on Monday, splitting the series after losing 2-1 in the opener.

According to Head Coach Tom Heath, Oklahoma Christian recuperated well from the loss on Monday.

“The main thing was how we came back and played really well after getting beat in the first game,” Heath said. “I was really proud of how we responded and came back for the second game.”

Monday’s opener remained scoreless until the top of the third when Courtney Starr singled to left field and batted Monique Elliot in for a run. Starr stole second just before the Lady Eagles hit a fly out to the infield, leaving her on third.

The score remained stagnant at 1-0 until the bottom of the seventh when Oklahoma Wesleyan hit a double and advanced two runners home to take the win.

Nikki Davidson grabbed eight outs at home plate, while Pierce and Starr both added three outs each. Madison Nordyke pitched the entire first game and contributed eight strikeouts for the Lady Eagles.

The lightning came early in game two for Oklahoma Christian as Starr homered to center field in the top of the first inning, batting-in Elliot for two runs.

The Lady Eagles extended their lead in the top of the third when Pierce hit a grand slam, giving them a 10-0 advantage. Nordyke added a homerun in the fifth, sending Michaela Brown and Starr home for an added three runs.

According to Shea Coats, the defense helped Oklahoma Christian record the win.

“I was proud of the way we bounced back after the first game,” Coats said. ‘’The hitting really came together and Taylor [Mosher] got a shutout thanks to some great defense.”

Nordyke and Jordan Chism each caught three outs, while Elliot, Haley Squier and Sheridan Bond contributed two.

Heath said his goals for the season are to play one game at a time and focus all of their attention on one pitch at a time. He added that the Lady Eagles hope to finish in the top three in the Heartland Conference and qualify for NCCAA nationals.

The Lady Eagles will return to action on Thursday as they travel to Texas A&M International University.