The Oklahoma Christian University softball team added a three-win sweep to their streak this week as they faced Panhandle State University.
The Lady Eagles shutout the Lady Aggies 6-0 in Monday’s opener, and won 7-6 in game two. They added their sixth straight win on Tuesday, leading 11-3 against Panhandle State.
According to Associate Head Softball Coach Jessica Ruckman, the Lady Eagles came together as a team to get the second win.
“In the first game, we came out with confidence at the plate and hit the ball very well,” Ruckman said. “I am most proud of the way we fought the second game until the very end. We got behind early, which can really mess with hitters mentally. We never gave up and continued to score runs by drawing walks, hitting singles, laying down sacrifice bunts and putting the ball in play for sacrifice fly balls.”
The Lady Eagles scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Haley Squier hit a single and allowed Niki Davidson to score a run, then Jordan Chism tripled to center field sending Sheridan Bond and Squier home for an added two runs.
Chism said Panhandle State would not take this shutout lightly.
“They are a team that is going to fight back and compete no matter what the score is,” Chism said. “They proved that in the second game by coming back after a loss and scoring five runs right off the bat. We knew that we just had to score one run at a time and put pressure on their defense every inning and that’s exactly what we did. Today was definitely a team effort by everyone.”
Shea Coats reached a season-high of 13 strikeouts for the Lady Eagles in the opener. In game two, Madison Nordyke added two strikeouts while Coats got the save. Squier took the win on Tuesday, throwing seven strikeouts for the Lady Eagles.
In game three, Monique Elliot hit a triple to start the Lady Eagles off, followed by another triple from Nordyke. They totaled seven runs in the first inning and never trailed, securing an 11-3 win to top off the series.
According to Ruckman, the mentality the Lady Eagles keep will be essential for the upcoming games.
“The players need to continue to stay focused and mentally tough,” Ruckman said. “Our bats have come alive and we need to continue hitting the ball hard.”
The Oklahoma Christian will return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. as they face Oklahoma City University at home.
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