Box Score WICHITA, Kan. (April 26, 2015) –
Kendra Pierce ended the regular season the way she began it – hitting the ball a ton – but it wasn't quite enough for Oklahoma Christian on Sunday afternoon at Newman (Kan.).
Pierce recorded her second career two-homer game, but a late OC rally fell just short as the Jets hung on for a 6-5 win in the regular-season finale for both teams at the NU Softball Field.
OC (25-19, 13-11 Heartland Conference) finished the regular season in fourth place in the conference standings, a half-game ahead of St. Edward's (Texas). Had the Lady Eagles been eligible for the Heartland tournament, they would have qualified. Instead, they'll prepare for the National Christian College Athletic Association Central Region tournament, which they'll host May 8-9 at
Tom Heath Field.
Newman (17-36, 8-15) took a series from OC for the first time since OC joined the Heartland with the 2013 season. The Jets jumped on OC starter
Haley Squier (3-3) for seven hits and four runs in two-plus innings. Courtney Sartin's two-run single in the second put Newman up 3-0 and Kelsey Jones and Jensen Cromer hit consecutive doubles to start the third inning to make it 4-0.
The Jets pushed their lead to 5-0 after four innings before OC responded in the fifth.
Courtney Starr walked ahead of Pierce's first home run, over the left-field wall, and
Niki Davidson walked ahead of a run-scoring double by Squier.
Newman answered with a run in the sixth to extend its lead to 6-3 before OC made its final push in the top of the seventh.
Kelsie Finch hit a leadoff triple and scored on a groundout by Starr that was almost a hit – the ball deflected off pitcher Katie Ingles' glove to the shortstop, who was able to barely throw out Starr. That proved critical, as Pierce came up next and hit a solo home run to center field.
Davidson was hit by a pitch but Squier grounded out to end the game, giving Ingles her first save. Jones (2-9), the starter, picked up the pitching win for the Jets.
Pierce's other multiple-home run game came last season against Texas A&M International. She finished the regular season with eight homers, a new career high, while hitting .438 with 41 RBIs. The senior from Oklahoma City (Westmoore High School) is one of 25 finalists for the inaugural National Fastpitch Coaches Association's NCAA Division II player of the year award.
