Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 13, 2018) – Oklahoma Christian's sweep of Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday afternoon came in a pair of softball games about as different as possible from each other.

The Lady Eagles used a seven-run first inning in the opener to cruise to an 11-2, five-inning run-rule win in the opener at Tom Heath Field, then needed a four-hit shutout from Madison Hagood to squeak out a 1-0 decision in the second game.

Led by a 5-for-7 day by Madison Nordyke – who's now hitting .514 for the season – OC (7-5) extended its winning streak to six games and now is 4-1 this season against Great American Conference foes. Southwestern (0-6) has faced a tough early season schedule, falling twice each against traditional power West Texas A&M, Western Oregon and OC – all away from home.

OC can symphathize – it was only a week ago the Lady Eagles were licking their wounds after starting the season 1-5 in the Southeastern Regional Invitational in Durant.

"We're a completely different team than we were down in Durant," OC coach Tom Heath said. "We were trying to figure out too many things down there. Now we're just playing ball. Some have really stepped up in their hitting. They feel confident now. We feel confident in our defense and pitching. We're playing as a team right now."

The first game was over almost as soon as it started. The first six OC batters of the game reached base safely against Southwestern starter Kaitlin Donaldson (0-1) before she exited. Kaylie Upton hit a two-run home run over the center-field fence to highlight the Lady Eagles' seven-run inning, while Bridget White and Kayla Eichler each hit a double and Nordyke hit a two-run single.

"That was one of the best first innings that I've seen in a long time," Heath said. "We just kept hitting the ball and after that, we continued to score runs."

The Bulldogs pulled within 7-2 before OC tacked on four more runs in the third against reliever Miranda Grover. White and Bailey Strecker each drew a bases-loaded walk and Sheridan Fuller followed with a two-run single.

Upton (4-1) allowed four hits in four innings in the circle before giving way to freshman Hannah Andrews, who pitched a perfect fifth inning for OC.

"It's pretty nice when you've got a pitcher than can hit, especially as well as Maddie Nordyke and Kaylie Upton. Both of them are outstanding hitters. Kaylie launched one and it was in the deepest part of the park."

In the second game, Hagood (2-1) – named before the game as the Heartland Conference's pitcher of the week – outdueled Southwestern's Sidney Kirk (0-3), who threw a three-hitter. Hagood allowed only two Southwestern baserunners as far as third base and escaped both jams thanks to good defense and-or a timely strikeout.

In the fourth inning, Kirk doubled with one out and pinch-runner Kaitlyn Tottress went to third on a groundout. Daytin Christian followed with a sinking line drive to right field, but Eichler made a diving catch to end the threat.

OC scored the game's lone run in the bottom of the fourth in strange fashion. Upton doubled down the left-field line with one out and was still at second base with two outs when Eichler hit what appeared to be a routine infield popup, but Southwestern shortstop Hannah Morris – so sure-handed most of the day – dropped the ball, allowing Upton to score.

The Lady Eagles left the bases loaded in the fifth and stranded another runner at third base in the sixth, but the Bulldogs managed only two baserunners over the final three innings.

"Madison threw just an outstanding game," Heath said. "They threw a pretty good pitcher at us in the second game and we needed a good performance from Hagood and we got it."

OC will host East Central on Thursday at 5 p.m. in a makeup game from last week's Edmond Region Festival, then is scheduled to play a doubleheader at Central Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon.

Tom Heath discusses the game: https://youtu.be/mkZfm4Z1fco

Game highlights: https://youtu.be/JlwX7_tNqVs