Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (April 11, 2015) – Since starting its softball program in 2008, Lubbock Christian (Texas) had dominated Oklahoma Christian, winning 24 of 27 games and every season series – before this weekend.
Shea Coats pitched a complete-game four-hit shutout and
Niki Davidson delivered a pair of key hits that led to runs, helping OC to a 4-0 win over the Lady Chaparrals on Saturday afternoon at
Tom Heath Field.
OC (22-14, 10-8 Heartland Conference) took two of three games from Lubbock Christian (30-11, 17-3) while knocking the Lady Chaparrals out of first place in the conference standings. The only other time the Lady Eagles had beaten LCU twice was in 2008, when OC went 2-4 against the Lady Chaparrals.
The Lady Eagles jumped quickly on Lubbock Christian starter Kelsey Hoppel (9-3), as
Courtney Starr doubled down the right-field line in the first inning with one out. With two outs, Davidson reached on an infield single, advancing Starr to third, and Starr scored after LCU shortstop Katlin Reed threw the ball away.
In the third, Hoppel hit
Kendra Pierce with a pitch with two outs. Davidson followed with a double to right-center field to score Pierce, putting OC up 2-0.
The Lady Eagles added a pair of runs in the fifth.
Monique Elliott hit a leadoff single to center field and Starr then reached when catcher Liz Torres threw away Starr's sacrifice bunt attempt. One out later, with runners still on first and second, Davidson reached base when right fielder Sydney Beauthien dropped a fly ball.
Haley Squier's single to left field scored one run and
Sheridan Bond drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 4-0.
Coats (11-7) beat the Lady Chaparrals for the second time in as many days, striking out six and walking only one. The only time she ran into trouble was the fifth inning, when, with one out, Reed singled up the middle and Faith Koria followed with a double. Reed tried to score on the play, but Squier, the right fielder, threw to second baseman Bond, whose relay throw was in time for Davidson, the catcher, to tag Reed.
Lubbock Christian's four hits were a season-low and the Lady Chaparrals suffered their first shutout of the season.
It was Coats' 16th complete game and sixth shutout of the season. She ranks tied for second in the Heartland in complete games and is tied for the league lead in shutouts.
OC will go on the road Tuesday to face defending NCAA Division II champion and No. 2-ranked West Texas A&M before returning home to host No. 7-ranked (and new Heartland leader) St. Mary's (Texas) next Friday and Saturday.
