SHAWNEE, Okla. – Oklahoma City University picked up a doubleheader sweep of 13th-ranked St. Gregory's 8-6, 3-0 on Thursday afternoon in a battle of top-15 teams at St. Gregory's Softball Field.

The Stars, ranked 11th in NAIA softball, have won 11 consecutive games, and improved to 23-7, 20-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

OCU scored four runs in the eighth inning to sneak by St. Gregory's in game one of the twin bill. OCU and SGU combined for nine runs in the final two innings.

Lily LaVelle drove in a run on a bunt single to give OCU a 5-4 lead with two outs in the eighth inning. Autumn Mayberry followed with a double to left field to drive in LaVelle. Amanda Howard brought home Mayberry with a double off the left-field wall to give OCU a 7-4 lead. The Stars finished the scoring when Nathalie Timmermans reached on a fielding error by the St. Gregory's first baseman that brought home Howard.

OCU held a 4-2 advantage entering the bottom of the seventh before St. Gregory's rallied for a pair of runs. Jenni Gaby worked out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out Jessica Heaney to force extra innings.

Gaby, a junior from Quitman, Texas, earned the victory, allowing three runs on three hits in four innings of work.

Howard, a senior from Strathmore, Alberta, Canada, and Jen Davis, a senior from Muscatine, Iowa, each finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the first game to lead the Stars.

LaVelle, a sophomore from Bridge Creek, Okla., shut down St. Gregory's in game two to earn her 12th victory of the season in the circle. LaVelle allowed five hits over seven innings while striking out 11 batters.

Howard hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to provide OCU with a 3-0 lead. Howard finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. Mayberry went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

OCU will host USAO on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. at Ann Lacy Stadium.
Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore