Photo by USAO Sports Information Staff
Chickasha, Okla. – The Central Christian College softball team played a four game set against the Sooner Athletic Conference's 2
nd place team, and perennial powerhouse USAO this past weekend down in Chickasha, Okla.
The Tigers were swept in the four game series, with two of the four games shortened via the run rule.
In game one, the Tigers went up against the Drovers' freshman phenom in the circle, Abi Gregory. The three time SAC pitcher of the week, came into the weekend series with three no hitters already on her resume this season. The Tigers were nearly her fourth, but a late single by
Camryn Frick broke up the no-hitter bid. Game one ended in an 8-0 shutout for the Drovers in five innings.
Madalyn Griffin was in the circle for the Tigers in game one, picking up the loss. She gave up eight runs on 10 hits, but was only charged with four earned runs as the Tiger defense committed four errors, leading to the other four runs.
In the second game, the Tigers managed to double their hit total from game one, and scored a pair of runs. Unfortunately, the Drovers scored six runs to finish day one with a 6-2 win. The two Tiger hits were a single by
Amberly Barrera and a two RBI double by
Olivia Roe. Defensively the Tigers committed four more errors, leading to two of the six Drover runs. Sara lynch was in the circle for game two and collared the loss.
The two teams resumed play on Saturday with the Drovers picking up where they left off from the day before. They opened with another 8-0 win in game one in five innings. It was another offensive and defensive struggle for the Tigers in Saturday's opener. Offensively they managed only one hit, a single by
Destiny Holt, and defensively they committed five errors. Griffin got the start again for the Tigers, pitching the first four innings. In the fifth inning, the Tigers went to
Haleigh Arterberry out of the bullpen, for her first action in the circle this season.
Game four was the best for the Tigers. Facing Gregory again, this time the Tigers figured out a way to hit her. The Tigers actually outhit the Drovers six to four, but five more defensive miscues, led to a 4-2 loss.
Isabel Vaughn had a stellar game at the dish in game four. She went 2 for 2 with a pair of singles, and also reached base twice via a walk. The Tigers had one extra base hit, a double by
Serena Fisher. Lynch was back in the circle for the finale. She pitched a solid game, holding the Drovers to four hits and walking one and striking out four.
Coach Balbin commented on the weekend saying, "You have to play the best to get a realistic evaluation of where you are as a program. Very proud of our pitching staff who were excellent in all four games. We still have some work to do with our offense."
The Tigers are back in action on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference match-up at home against Haskell Indian Nations University. First pitch of the double header is slated for 3:30 pm.
