EDMOND, Okla. (Feb. 17, 2019) – In the first inning, it looked like Oklahoma Christian might make quick work of Colorado-Colorado Springs. That didn't happen, but thanks to some strong relief pitching by Madison Hagood, the Eagles hung on.

Sierra Schultz and Kayla Eichler each hit a two-run single in a four-run first inning and Hagood shut down UCCS over the last three innings, giving OC a 6-4 win on Sunday afternoon at Central Oklahoma's Broncho Stadium in the Raising Cain's Edmond Regional Festival II.

OC will take a 12-1 record into Heartland Conference play, which will begin Thursday with a doubleheader at the league's preseason favorite, St. Mary's (Texas).

"I feel good," OC coach Shanon Hays said. "I mean, 12-1 for this club, I say is good – you always wish you had that one you lost, but I think we're going (into the conference season) with confidence. If we go in and compete and battle, I'll be happy with whatever happens."

The Eagles jumped on UCCS starter Braelyne Crenshaw (1-3) for five hits in the first inning, with Schultz and Eichler delivering the big blows. But Crenshaw settled down and allowed only three more hits the rest of the way, giving the Mountain Lions a chance to rally.

Sawyer Brewster crushed a pitch by OC starter Kali Crandall (4-0) just inside the left-field foul pole in the second inning and UCCS (4-8) scored three runs in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of two OC errors. Melissa Martinek tied the game with a two-run single to right field.

Crandall drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth and pinch-runner Sydney Smith eventually scored on a groundout by Kaylie Upton, putting OC back up 5-4.

Hagood started the fifth inning in the circle for OC and worked her way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam with a forceout and a pair of strikeouts that were part of a run of nine straight batters retired by the senior left-hander to close the game. She picked up her first save of the season and the 17th of her career, tops among active NCAA Division II pitchers.

Upton, a senior from Pauls Valley, extended her hitting streak to 12 games and provided OC with an insurance run in the sixth, doubling home Brie Dunckel, who had walked with two outs.

"That's how we're going to have to win a lot of games," Hays said. "I said earlier in the year we can pitch and play good defense. What we didn't do today is play good defense. … I felt like that should have been a 6-1 game instead of a 6-4 game. We need to clean that up but it's always good to get a win."

Shanon Hays discusses the game: https://youtu.be/CeS2fBkvphw