ÂThe softball team went 1-2 in a series on Friday and Saturday against Oklahoma Christian University. The Wildcats and are now 2-3 for the year.
The Wildcats fell in game one of the series, 7-1 against a strong pitching performance from OC pitcher Shea Coats. She registered 7.0 innings pitched, six hits, an earned run and three strikeouts.
“Take away a couple of bad innings this weekend and I think we played alright,” head coach Bobby Reeves said. “We have to play well in two out of three phases of the game: pitching, offense, or defense.”
The Wildcats had no runs until the sixth inning, when sophomore utility player Anna Jones doubled home sophomore infielder Demi McNulty. OC had taken the lead by two runs after the first inning. Kala Ratliff, who finished 3-3 and three runs batted in, led OC in their victory.
Starting fresh and renewed on Saturday, the Wildcats won the first game in five innings, 8-0. Senior catcher Lyndi Smith went 2-3 with two RBI’s and a home run. Senior outfielder Ashley Nolan’s lone hit of the game was a home run that drove in two, enough offensive support for freshman pitcher Hannah Null. Null earned the win and registered 5.0 innings pitched, three hits, four strike-outs and zero earned runs as she moves to one win and one loss on the young season.
The Wildcats couldn’t continue its offensive urgency into the second game. The team lost the second game 5-1. OC only had six hits, but was able to capitalize. The home squad had the exact opposite problem, registering five hits, only to have one player cross home plate. OC scored four runs in the third inning, all coming off one swing, as a grand slam gave the Wildcats an early 4-0 deficit.
“It comes down to scoring runs when you have them in scoring position,” Reeves said. “Making adjustments when needed and getting momentum at the right times and keeping it.”
Moving forward, the Wildcats will travel to Lubbock to take on Western New Mexico University and Lubbock Christian University on Tuesday. The games will begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
