SHAWNEE, Okla. – Oklahoma City University used a seven-run fifth inning to clip Oklahoma Baptist 8-4 and salvage the second game of a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Lady Bison Field.
The Stars, ranked ninth in NAIA softball, dropped a 3-1 decision in the first game of the twin bill, ending their 15-game winning streak. OCU moved to 30-8, 27-3 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
OCU broke open a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning of game two with seven runs on six hits, capped by a grand slam from LeeAnn Lopez. The Stars also took advantage of three OBU errors in the inning.
Lily LaVelle hit an RBI single to center field as OCU went up 2-1. LaVelle came around to score when Nathalie Timmermans reached on a fielding error by the OBU second baseman. Jen Davis drove in a run with a single to center field that gave the Stars a 4-1 advantage.
After Laurin Hess walked to load the bases, Lopez drilled her sixth home run of the season to give OCU an 8-1 lead.
Amanda Howard, a senior from Strathmore, Alberta, Canada, led off the game with a solo home run, her seventh of the season.
Ashley Wilburn worked four solid innings in the circle to earn the victory. Wilburn, a senior from Gilmer, Texas, scattered a run on four hits and struck out two batters to move to 10-3 on the season.
LaVelle, a sophomore from Bridge Creek, Okla., pitched the final three innings, striking out six batters.
In game one, OCU held a 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh before Oklahoma Baptist rallied for three runs to hand the Stars their first loss since March 27. Kylie King had the big hit for OBU, a game-winning three-run shot against Jenni Gaby.
Gaby, a junior from Quitman, Texas, earned the loss despite a strong performance on the mound. Gaby (4-2) allowed three runs on five hits over 6.1 innings.
Wilburn led OCU at the plate, going 2-fo-3. Autumn Mayberry scored OCU's only run of the game on a sacrifice fly from Timmermans in the third inning.
OCU will face Columbia (Mo.) in the Domino's Capital City Classic on Friday at 6 p.m. at Ann Lacy Stadium.
Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore
