Lady Tigers Softball Opens Season with 2-2 Showing at Hampton Classic

Courtesy Ouachita Baptist University Athletics Department

MONTICELLO, Ark.- The Ouachita Lady Tiger softball team kicked off their 2013 campaign in Monticello, Arkansas this weekend, competing at the Hampton Classic. The Lady Tigers split their two games on Saturday, with a 4-3 loss to Newman University and an 8-5 win over Cameron University. On Sunday, they dropped their first game of the day to Washburn University in a 4-3 final, before getting some revenge in a 5-3 win over Newman in their last game of the weekend.

In the 4-3 loss to Newman, the Lady Tigers used a two run, two RBI performance from Megan Askew to fuel their offense. The teams were tied at two at the conclusion of the fifth inning, but a two-run sixth inning for Newman proved to be the difference in the game. In the top of the seventh, the Lady Tigers posted a run of their own and looked like they might make a run at a tie, but a Lady Tiger runner was caught stealing for the final out of the game. 

Abbi Frakes took the loss for Ouachita on the mound, despite picking up seven strikeouts in just six innings of work. Taylor Parsons took the win for Newman with a five strikeout performance in seven innings on the mount.

The Lady Tigers captured their first win of the season in an 8-5 thriller over Cameron. Cameron took a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning, as they scored three runs in a half inning. They controlled the game from that point on, until the seventh inning, when Teresa Mursuli hit a two RBI single which tied the game up and forced an extra inning. In the top of the eighth, Ouachita’s bats came to life, as three straight batters picked up RBI’s and gave Ouachita an 8-4 lead. Cameron tried to answer in the bottom half of the inning, but fell short, only coming up with a single run.

Amber Oxford took the win for the Lady Tigers, throwing three innings. Stephanie Anderson took the loss for Newman, throwing seven innings and giving up six earned runs.

As the Lady Tigers opened their Sunday twinbill, they saw another exciting game come down to the wire. Unfortunately, things didn’t go their way in the end, as they dropped a 4-3 final to Washburn University. Washburn jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Lady Tigers tied things up with a run in the third. Washburn retook the lead just an inning later though, posting two runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Lady Tigers came back in the sixth and scored again though, putting themselves back in contention, but again Washburn answered. The top of the seventh saw the Lady Tigers posting another late rally, but one run was the extent of their damage and Washburn walked away victorious.

Frakes took her second loss of the season, throwing six innings and recording five strikeouts, while only giving up three earned runs. Lauren Thimmesch took the win for Washburn, picking up six strikeouts in seven innings of action. 

In the last game of the weekend, the Lady Tigers avenged an earlier loss to Newman, capping off their weekend with a 5-3 win. The third inning saw the majority of the scoring as Newman posted two runs and the Lady Tigers posted three. Both teams added a run to their totals in the fifth, before Ouachita put it away with a run in the sixth. 

Amber Oxford notched her second win of the weekend with a seven inning performance in which she only gave up two earned runs.

The Lady Tigers will travel to Durant, Oklahoma next weekend to participate in the Southwestern Shootout. They begin action on Friday at noon when they take on Missouri Southern State.

 

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director

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