OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 23, 2021) – Oklahoma Christian's softball team will roll into Las Vegas later this week full of momentum generated by matching the best start in the program's 27-season history.

The Eagles – ranked No. 12 in the NCAA Division II coaches' poll – run-ruled Newman (Kan.) 11-0 on a sunny Tuesday afternoon at Tom Heath Field to move to 7-0 for the first time since 2003. Brie Dunckel hit a three-run double during an eight-run second inning that essentially sealed the win and freshman Tristyn Hamilton added an inside-the-park home run in the third inning for OC.

Newman (2-6), which played with OC in the Heartland Conference before that league's demise in 2019, managed only two hits off four OC pitchers and never advanced a runner past first base. Nine of the Jets' outs came by strikeouts. Reliever Lauren King (1-0) picked up the win for the Eagles with a 1-2-3 fourth inning in the circle.

Freshman Aaliyah Brown's pinch-hit single in the second off Newman starter Katie Wentworth (0-1) started the avalanche rolling downhill for the Eagles, who sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning.

Dunckel's bases-clearing double to right-center field made it 4-0, and she later scored on a double steal with younger sister Katelyn Dunckel. Freshmen Kylie Janzen and Whitney Walde and junior Brianna Robinson added RBI doubles to finish the outburst.

Hamilton led off the third inning with a sinking fly ball that eluded both Newman center fielder Lauren Kuhrt and right fielder Taylor Ullery. That allowed the speedy Hamilton to circle the bases before the Jets could even attempt a throw to home plate to try and catch her. It's thought to be OC's first inside-the-park homer since Brie Dunckel hit one at home vs. Texas Woman's on March 8, 2019.

Karrah Dean hit a run-scoring double to right-center field later in the inning and she came home on a single by Jaiden Ahl – her first career hit for OC – putting the Eagles up 11-0.

OC coach Shanon Hays subbed liberally after the second inning, allowing 20 players to see action, including three for the first time this season – Abbey Parks, Payton Balbin and Brooklin Bain, who pitched the fifth inning and struck out three batters, ending the game via the run rule.

The Eagles now will head to Nevada, where they will meet No. 11 Concordia-Irvine (Calif.) in a three-game series on Friday and Saturday at Faith Lutheran High School's field.