Clarksville, Ark.-Stephany Henson threw a complete game to help Ozarks to their third straight win, a 5-2 victory over Hendrix College, but the Warriors came back in game two to claim the nightcap 8-5 Thursday.
Henson (3-3) forced a number of ground outs and did not allow an earned run to notch her sixth complete game of the season. She issued just one walk and struck out one in her seven innings of work. The offense went to work for Henson, pounding out ten hits, and putting up two runs in the first inning. Colbey Russo received a free base when she was hit by a pitch in the first. Henson then executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Russo into scoring position. Russo would advance to third after Ali Mathis grounded out. Kelsey Mefford ripped a shot to center field to score Russo. Nicole Ashley then drew a walk, and Emily Burns came up with another two-out RBI when she roped one to right field. Hendrix got one run back in the top of the second, but Ozarks (4-8) answered with a run in the bottom half of the frame when Mathis recorded a two-out RBI single. The Lady Eagles added a pair of runs in the fourth to give Henson a 5-1 cushion. The senior right-hander then held Hendrix (5-5) scoreless until the seventh inning.
Mathis went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. Mefford finished 2-for-3.
In game two, Hendrix had a five-run second inning that the Lady Eagles couldn’t overcome. The Warriors extended their lead to 8-0 in the third, but Ozarks tacked on a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Mathis doubled in Henson and Mefford followed with a double of her own to score Mathis. In the fifth, Russo and Ashley each recorded RBI to trim the deficit to 8-4. The Lady Eagles would add another run in the sixth when Morgan Goates knocked in Kelsey Stephens, but the rally ended there.
Ashley and Stephens each had two hits.
Kaci Foster (1-3) received the loss.
Ozarks will host Hillsdale Baptist College March 16 in a double-header beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Topics: Athletics