Photo by Jerry Montano

Oklahoma City, Okla. – It was a rough weekend for the Central Christian College softball team. They travelled down to Oklahoma City to open up Sooner Athletic Conference play against the Oklahoma City University Stars, a perennial national power, ranked 9^th in the NAIA pre-season top-25 coaches poll.

The Stars definitely lived up to their billing, but it didn't help, that the Tigers went into the series without several starters, who were out with nagging injuries. Regardless, the Tigers dropped all four games, getting shut out in the first three and then finally getting on the scoreboard in the series finale on Saturday.

Both games Friday were shortened due to the run rule. The Tigers were shutout 9-0 in game one and were no-hit by the Stars in five innings. Sara Lynch and Madalyn Griffin both saw time in the circle for the Tigers. Lynch got the start and took the loss. She gave up nine runs on six hits with three walks. Griffin came in and worked the final two and a third, holding the Stars scoreless on just three hits with one strikeout and one walk.

The Tigers did get their bats going in game two, but they were unable to get key hits with runners on base. They fell to the Stars 8-0 in six innings. Freshman Paige Major led the Tigers with a pair of hits in three at bats. Griffin picked up where she left off in game one, getting the start in game two. She didn't fare as well in two and a third innings of work. She allowed three runs on four hits with one walk. Chelsie Hirtler came out of the pen working the final three and a third. She surrendered five runs on four this with a pair of Strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Saturday's opener was much the same as the second game on Friday. The Stars won 8-0 in five innings. The Tigers had five hits, but continued to struggle getting the hits they needed with runners in scoring position. The Tigers stranded all five players who got on base, including Illiana Luna and Mariah Garcia, who each hit a double. Amberly Barrera led the Tigers with a 2 for 3 performance from the lead off position. Kayla Voss was in the circle for the Tigers. She went the distance, allowing nine runs, five of them earned, on eight hits with one walk.

In the finale, the Tigers finally cracked scoreboard, scoring two runs on two hits. But unfortunately, the Stars hit the cover off the ball scoring 18 runs on 16 hits. The game was shortened to five innings with the Stars leading 18-2. The two hits came off the bats of Barrera and Luna. Garcia and Luna each had an RBI. Lynch and Hirtler combined for the loss. Lynch was the starter and worked the first three innings. Hirtler came in and pitched the fourth.

Coaches Quote: "It was a tough weekend.  We were short handed due to injuries.  At one point we had 5 freshmen on the field and our inexperienced showed.  Inconsistent play across the board." – Coach Balbin.
 
Next Up: The Tigers (4-8, 0-4), are back on the road Tuesday afternoon, heading down to Springfield, Mo. for a four game series with Mission University (formerly Baptist Bible College). Games Tuesday are slated for 4 & 6 pm. The two teams will resume play on Wednesday at 11:00 am then wrap up the series at 1:00 pm.