CLAREMORE, Okla. (April 27, 2019) – Before this weekend, Rogers State had a sparkling 15-1 record this softball season at the Diamond Sports Complex, meaning Oklahoma Christian faced a major challenge trying to sweep a three-game series on the Hillcats' home field.

Still, the Eagles came oh-so-close to finishing the job on Saturday afternoon. After a 4-3 win on Friday night, OC opened Saturday's doubleheader with a 10-0 win, but fell behind in the fourth inning and ran out of time in a 3-1 loss in the second game.

The split gave OC (35-14, 19-11 Heartland Conference) a share of the league's regular-season title, the first league regular-season championship in the program's 25-season history. The Eagles shared the title with longtime Heartland power St. Mary's (Texas) (30-23, 19-11), which swept St. Edward's (Texas) at home Saturday to make up a one-game deficit to OC.

Because St. Mary's won the season series 4-1 over the Eagles, it will host the conference tournament, set for next Thursday through Saturday in San Antonio. After playing Rogers State (33-21, 17-13) five times in the last 10 days, the Eagles must face the Hillcats again in the tournament's opening round on Thursday.

The title was the third official Heartland championship won by an OC squad, along with men's cross country (2015) and men's golf (2019). OC also claims unofficial Heartland crowns in men's cross country (2013) and women's golf (2015).

The Eagles dominated Rogers State in Saturday's opener. Bridget White walked and scored on Kaylie Upton's first-inning double off Rogers State starter Tailee Reding (3-5) and OC was on its way. Upton finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Hunter Strickland, who also had three of OC's 13 hits, reached on an infield single and eventually scored on an error to make it 2-0 in the third inning before the Eagles broke it open with a three-run sixth inning. Bailey Strecker and Strickland each contributed an RBI single during the inning.

OC tacked on five more runs in the seventh. Upton tripled to score Brie Dunckel and scored herself on a single by Kayla Eichler before Daelyn Denny – who had four RBIs – smashed a three-run homer over the left-field fence.

OC freshman pitcher Kali Crandall (13-5) picked up her second win over the Hillcats in as many days, scattering six hits and striking out six while posting her seventh complete game and second shutout of the season.

In the second game, OC senior Madison Hagood (15-7) and Rogers State ace Andrea Morales (24-11) quickly locked into a pitchers' duel, with Morales throwing her fourth complete game against OC in the last 10 days. She went 1-3 in those games.

The Hillcats broke through in the fourth inning. Danelle Day led off with a single up the middle and Sierra Skaggs walked before Jaylan Gibson doubled down the left-field line to score Day and put Rogers State ahead. Abigail Taylor's single up the middle scored pinch-runner Faren Walker and Gibson came home on a sacrifice fly by Rylee DeLozier.

OC rallied in the sixth, when Strickland led off with a double down the left-field line and Dunckel followed with a single to right field, but the Eagles managed only one run, with Strickland scoring on a sacrifice fly by White. Morales struck out Upton and coaxed a fly ball from Lindsey Stoeckel to end the threat.

Denny doubled with one out in the seventh before Morales struck out Sydney Smith and Lacey Davidson to end the game. Morales finished with six strikeouts.

Game 1 highlights: https://youtu.be/1A3IjgBA9_w