Clarksville, Ark.-The Lady Eagles had No. 1 Louisiana College on the ropes, but the Wildcats scored three runs in the sixth to get past Ozarks 7-5 in game two and complete a double-header sweep Friday in American Southwest Conference play.
Louisiana College (26-4, 13-3) picked up a 7-1 win in game one behind a strong pitching performance from starter Rene’ Schwartzenburg.
In game two, the Lady Eagles (5-23, 3-11) held the lead for most of the contest behind a solid pitching performance from freshman Kelsey Mefford. Louisiana College opened the game with a 2-0 advantage, but Ozarks answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Julie Wilkinson singled in Sarah Otteman and Cassie Saorrono recorded a sacrifice fly to score Danielle Dirks. In the second inning, Wilkinson was again productive with her bat as she knocked in a pair of runs on a hit through the left side of the infield. With Ozarks leading 4-3, the Lady Eagles plated another run in the third to increase their advantage to 5-3. The Wildcats, however, rallied for three runs off two hits in the sixth to take a 6-5 lead. Caitlyn Bankston highlighted the inning with a two-run single and Mary Alice Roy gave the Wildcats the go-ahead run on a single. Louisiana College added an insurance run in the seventh and Wildcat pitcher Kelly Williams retired the side to end the game.
Wilkinson had a strong day at the plate, driving in three runs and finishing 2-for-4.
Mefford (1-5) took the loss after pitching five and one-third innings. She struck out five and scattered nine hits. Kelsea Morris went the rest of the way and struck out one.
Schwartzenburg fanned 15 in a four-hit seven inning complete game one win. The Wildcats were just steady enough offensively to help Schwartzenburg earn her ninth win of the season. Louisiana College held a 4-0 lead after four innings, and then added two more runs in the fifth. Ozarks biggest rally came in the bottom of the seventh when they got two hits and scored once. The Lady Eagles looked to continue the rally when they had a pair of runners on with one out, but Schwartzenburg quickly halted the rally by striking out the final two batters.
Stephany Henson (2-13) took the loss after tossing a complete game.
The Lady Eagles will continue their series tomorrow starting at 10:00 a.m.
Topics: Athletics