OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University begins postseason play at 3 p.m. Thursday against Central Christian (Kan.) in the Sooner Athletic Conference softball tournament at Ann Lacy Stadium.
OCU, ranked fifth in the NAIA, enters the tournament as the top seed after capturing its fourth consecutive SAC regular-season title. The Stars follow with a matchup against Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) at 7 p.m. Thursday, then round out pool play with a contest against Mid-America Christian at 3 p.m. Friday.
The SAC Tournament championship will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ann Lacy Stadium featuring the winners of the two tournament pools. OCU and USAO host the pool play happening Thursday and Friday at Ann Lacy Stadium and Bill Smith Ballpark.
The Stars (44-7) finished the regular season with a pair of wins over Central Christian on April 26, clinching the program's 18th conference title. OCU's Phil McSpadden earned his 1,650th career win April 13 against Bacone and has led Oklahoma City to a 1,657-374 record and 10 national championships in his 31st year as a head coach. He aims to guide OCU to its 18th SAC Tournament crown this weekend.
Kennedy Jackson, a freshman from Moore, Okla., leads the Stars on offense this season with a .467 batting average and 77 hits. She currently sits in the top 10 in the NAIA in total hits, total runs scored (58), runs scored per game (1.23), hits per game (1.64) and total stolen bases (34).
Also boosting OCU on offense is Jaci Smith, a three-time SAC player of the week this year. Smith, a junior from Godley, Texas, leads the team in homeruns with nine and ranks 12th in the NAIA in total RBIs (54) and 14th in total runs scored (53).
In the circle, the Stars boast of three pitchers who all own an earned run average lower than 1.50. Georgia Wall, a junior from Marlow, Okla., leads the bunch with an 18-4 record and ranks 12th in the NAIA in opponent batting average (.177). Jaden Shores, a sophomore from Blanchard, Okla., has a 13-2 record and ranks sixth in the NAIA in earned runs allowed with 14, while Abby Meador, a senior from Midwest City, Okla., is 9-1 on the year and ranks first in the NAIA in opponent batting average (.106).
As a team, OCU ranks second among the NAIA in batting average (.372), opponent batting average (.161) and earned run average (1.19). To see how the Stars stack up against the field in other categories, click here.
Tickets to the tournament at OCU cost $7 for adults and $5 for students. Live stats and video will be available for the tournament games. Watch the video stream for $8.95 per game or with a $18.95 tournament pass for games at Ann Lacy Stadium.
Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
At Oklahoma City
Ann Lacy Stadium
Thursday's Games
Mid-America Christian vs Southwestern Assemblies of God, 4 p.m.
Oklahoma City vs. Central Christian, 6 p.m.
Central Christian vs. Mid-America Christian, 8 p.m.
Friday's Games
Oklahoma City vs. Southwestern Assemblies of God, 1 p.m.
Central Christian vs. Southwestern Assemblies of God, 3 p.m.
Oklahoma City vs. Mid-America Christian, 5 p.m.
At Chickasha, Okla.
Bill Smith Ballpark
Thursday's Games
Panhandle State vs. Texas Wesleyan, 2 p.m.
USAO vs. Bacone, 4 p.m.
Bacone vs. Texas Wesleyan, 6 p.m.
USAO vs. Panhandle State, 8 p.m.
Friday's Games
Bacone vs. Panhandle State, 1 p.m.
USAO vs. Texas Wesleyan, 3 p.m.
Saturday's Game
At Oklahoma City
Ann Lacy Stadium
Championship
Pool-play winners, 2 p.m.
