ARKADELPHIA- Ouachita Baptist never left a doubt in double header victories over Lincoln (Mo.) University, as the Lady Tigers invoked the run-rule in five innings and allowed just one hit in both games. The double header sweep also stretched the current win streak to eight games for Ouachita (8-1), the best start since joining the Gulf South Conference in 2001.
Ouachita (8-1) won Game 1, 9-0, behind a shutout victory from junior Kristen Rigsbee on the mound, as Rigsbee also provided a walk-off two-run homerun to seal the win. In Game 2, Ouachita defeated Lincoln, 8-0, as junior Sara Hanson went five innings in allowing just one hit, as senior Haley Chambers provided a three-run homerun in the first inning.
Game 1: Ouachita Baptist 9, Lincoln (Mo.) University 0
While offense was hard to come by in the first four innings of play, it was a pitchers duel between Rigsbee and Lincoln starter Olivia Durrell. Ouachita freshman Megan Askew provided the only run in the first four innings, as Askew led off the game with a double. Askew scored three batters later on a sacrifice RBI from Chambers, giving the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Rigsbee led off the fifth inning with a single, followed by hits from freshman Kayci Wilson and sophomore Alexis Johns. After a walk and fielder’s choice, three-straight Lady Tigers connected on hits, including doubles from junior Sarah Bell and sophomore Taylor Austin. After an error from the Lincoln centerfielder scored a pair of runs, Rigsbee ended the eight-run inning with a walk-off two-run homerun.
Game 2: Ouachita Baptist 8, Lincoln (Mo.) University 0
While it took Ouachita a few innings to get started in Game 1, the Lady Tigers didn’t waste anytime in Game 2. Chambers cleared the bases with a three-run homerun in the first to give Ouachita a 3-0 lead.
Sophomore Jana Deen provided a sacrifice RBI in the second inning, scoring junior Kelli Bratton to stretch the lead to 4-0. Bell started the fifth inning with a single up the middle, followed by freshman Jana Neal collecting a single two batters later. After back-to-back singles from freshman Carissa Williams and Bratton, Austin ended the game with a two-run single to give Ouachita an 8-0 victory.
Hanson (1-0) earned her first victory of the season, while striking out five and walking three.
Ouachita Baptist returns to action in the Spa City Classic in Hot Springs, Ark. as Henderson State will host the two-day tournament. The Lady Tigers will open play on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. against Missouri-St. Louis, followed by an afternoon matchup against Missouri Western at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, Ouachita will play at 9 a.m. against Texas A&M-Kingsville, followed by a matchup against Southeastern Oklahoma at 1 p.m.
