ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita Baptist University softball team got a pair of much-needed Gulf South Conference West Division victories Saturday afternoon, downing Delta State, 2-0, in the opener and 6-5 in nine innings in the second game at Sully Anderson Field.
In the opener, Ouachita (14-16 overall, 4-6 GSC West) broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth by plating a pair of runs.
With two outs in the frame, Jana Deen walked and Whitley Hoppe doubled down the line in left to move Deen to third. Monica Davis followed with a single to right to score Deen and Hoppe, giving the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Kristen Rigsbee earned the victory by pitching a complete game. She scattered just three hits with seven strikeouts.
Kate Moreland (1-1) took the loss, going six innings. She gave up two runs on four hits with a walk.
In the second game, Delta State (11-10, 0-2) struck first in the opening inning with five runs, including a three-run home run by Kristi Basso to give the Lady Statesmen a 5-0 advantage.
Ouachita cut the deficit to 5-3 with three runs in the bottom of the fourth.
With one down, Rigsbee doubled down the left-field line and Taylor Austin followed with an infield hit. Sarah Bell singled through the left side to plate Rigsbee. Aspen Grams followed with a single down the line in left to score Austin as Kelli Beth Bratton, who pinch ran for Bell, was out at second. Alex Johns reached on an infield single and Deen hit a base hit to center to score Grams. Whitley Hoppe reached on an infield hit to load the bases, but Monica Davis ended the inning by popping up to the third baseman as the Lady Tigers cut the Delta State lead to 5-3.
Ouachita looked to add more runs in the bottom of the fifth and scored a pair of runs to tie the game.
Rigsbee singled to center with one out in the frame and Austin followed with an infield hit. Bell walked to load the bases for the second time in consecutive innings. Haley Chambers, batting for Grams, hit a deep sacrifice fly to right to plate Rigsbee. Alexis Johns followed with a single through the left side to score Austin, tying the game at 5. Deen reached on a base hit up the middle to load the bases. However, Hoppe struck out to end the inning.
Ouachita won the game in the ninth as Johns reached on a two-out single to second, and then stole second. She scored on Deen’s base hit to right.
Sara Hanson went two innings, surrendering five runs on four hits while fanning one. Crystal Robinson worked 4 2/3 innings, scattering six hits. Rigsbee (9-7) pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief with a pair of walks and two strikeouts.
Edie Oliver started for the Lady Statesmen, going five innings. She gave up five runs on 12 hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Brooke Allgood (3-4) took the loss. She gave up a run on four hits with a walk in 3 2/3 innings.
The Lady Tigers conclude the Gulf South Conference West Division series against Delta State with a 1:00 p.m., doubleheader Sunday, March 22 at Sully Anderson Field.
