OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City University powered its way to 8-2 and 9-3 wins over St. Gregory's with the aid of six home runs and 21 hits Saturday at Ann Lacy Stadium.
The Stars (24-7, 12-2), ranked eighth in NAIA softball, benefitted from three Lily LaVelle home runs in the pair of games. LaVelle, a junior from Bridge Creek, Okla., leads the Stars with 10 home runs on the season. OCU also got long balls by Nathalie Timmermans, Kylee Rounsaville and LeeAnn Lopez. All OCU batters in the doubleheader recorded at least one hit on the day.
The opening contest saw St. Gregory's post the first scoring with two runs in the second. The Stars answered back three in the second to take the lead. Rounsavelle was responsitvle for all three run after blasting a home run to left that brought in Magean De Le Torre and Lopez.
OCU continued rolling with three in the third, including a two-run blast by Timmermans over the center field fence.
OCU added two more in the fourth when LaVelle added a two-run slam to left center that brought in Katie Proffitt. The capping run of the game came when LaVelle poked a single into left to bring in Proffitt and give the Stars the 8-2 win.
The second half of the twin bill began much the same as St. Gregory's jumped to the early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. OCU answered with a resounding five-run first after LaVelle continued where she left off with a solo home run. Lopez popped a single to score Timmermans and prompted a St. Gregory's pitching change. De La Torre followed with an RBI single to bring in Shari Misuraca saw the Lady Cavaliers bring back their starter to the circle. Chelsey Eddy pounded a double that was misplayed by the center fielder to bring in De La Torre and Lopez to give the Stars the 5-2 advantage.
OCU added two more runs in the second after LaVelle led off the inning with a solo homer run on the first pitch she saw, her third of the day. Lady Cavalier Kailee Neal walked in a runner to extend the Stars lead to 7-2.
A Timmermans RBI single brought around LaVelle to continue the offensive outburst. OCU's final run came in the sixth as Lopez squashed the first pitch she faced over the wall in left center to give the Stars the 9-3 victory.
Along with batting 5-for-8 with five RBIs and four runs, LaVelle earned both victories from the circle for the Stars. Timmermans and De La Torre ended the day with 4-for-7 efforts from the plate.
