Clarksville, Ark.-Rhodes College pitcher Sara Bowen tossed a four-hit shutout in a 1-0 game one win and then the Lynx scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to register a 9-7 game two win over Ozarks Wednesday.
In game one, Ozarks’ starter Tabitha Porter was equally as strong in her outing allowing just five hits and striking out six. But Rhodes (13-5) scratched across the game-winner in the first inning with two outs. Courtney Williams provided the game-clinching RBI with a single through the left side of the infield. Ozarks (5-13) threatened to even the score in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings placing runners in scoring position. But Bowen worked her way out of each jam to secure the shutout.
All four hits came from different players for Ozarks.
Porter (1-6) suffered the loss.
The Lady Eagles opened the second game with six runs in the second frame. Ozarks recorded four hits in the inning, including a two-run double by Whitley Borin and a two-run home run by Kelsey Mefford. Mefford’s first homer of the season gave Ozarks a 6-0 lead. Rhodes narrowed the deficit to 6-2 in the third and plated two more in the top of the fifth. In the fifth, outfielder Ali Mathis saved an additional run when she threw out Olivia Ryan at the plate. The Lady Eagles loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning only to see Rhodes keep Ozarks from putting any runs on the board. The Lynx then took a 7-6 lead in the sixth when Bowen looped a hit to centerfield between three Ozarks’ players. Ozarks would even the score, 7-7, when Colbey Russo stole home in the bottom of the sixth. In extra innings, Rhodes plated two runs to take a 9-7 advantage and secure the game.
Ozarks recorded six hits, once again coming from six different players.
Porter came in relief and took the loss. Arlisa Arwood threw five and one-third innings as the starter.
The Lady Eagles will host reigning NCAA III national champion East Texas Baptist University this weekend starting with a double-header Friday.
Topics: Athletics