OKLAHOMA CITY (April 12, 2019) – In danger of losing a fourth straight softball game in a three-day span, Oklahoma Christian responded with a big inning at the right time Friday night against St. Mary's (Texas).

Bailey Strecker's two-run single keyed a four-run sixth-inning outburst that gave the Eagles an 8-5 win over St. Mary's and a split of a doubleheader. The Rattlers rolled to a 13-2 win in the opening game at Tom Heath Field.

OC (29-10, 13-7 Heartland Conference) started the day in first place in the league standings but fell to second behind Rogers State (30-16, 15-8) with the split. Longtime league power St. Mary's (26-19, 15-9) and Lubbock Christian (Texas) (27-14, 14-11) also are in the mix in what figures to be a wild last few weeks of the regular season. The regular-season champ gets to host the Heartland postseason tournament.

The opener was a game the Eagles will want to forget. St. Mary's took advantage of an error to post a three-run second inning off OC starter Madison Hagood (13-5) and go ahead 4-0.

OC struggled to generate much offense against St. Mary's ace Staci Johns (15-10), scoring only once, when Lindsey Stoeckel singled with two outs in the fourth inning and scored on a double by Strecker. That briefly gave the Eagles hope, but the Rattlers scored twice more in the sixth and sent 12 batters to the plate during a seven-run seventh inning, with the first nine reaching base.

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the second inning of the second game, as Stoeckel tripled, Strecker followed with a double and freshman Sierra Schultz delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to right field. Johns hit a two-run single to tie the game in the third, however, and the Rattlers went up 5-3 in the fifth after RBI singles by Victoria Aldridge and Johns.

Freshman Sydney Smith doubled to left-center field to score Daelyn Denny in the fifth, pulling OC within 5-4, before the Eagles seized the lead in the sixth against St. Mary's starter Alex McLennan (9-5). After singles by Hunter Strickland and Kaylie Upton and a sacrifice bunt by Kayla Eichler, Stoeckel hit a ground ball to St. Mary's third baseman Raynelle Nash. Nash hesitated, then threw home to try to retire Strickland but wasn't successful.

After Brie Dunckel walked to load the bases, Strecker lined a single to left field to score Upton and Stoeckel and a single by Denny to center field brought home Dunckel.

The Rattlers' first two batters reached base in the seventh against OC starter Kali Crandall (10-3), but Dunckel, playing second base, fielded a ground ball by Tiffany Licon, tagged a baserunner, then threw Licon out for a double play. Crandall retired Abigale Carney on a popup to end the game.

The teams are scheduled to play the decisive game of the three-game series at 1 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting.

Game highlights: https://youtu.be/502UxxaEPgo