TYLER, Texas (April 22, 2022) – Oklahoma Christian's record-setting winning streak had to end sometime, but the Eagles had their chances of extending it even further on Friday against a daunting foe – No. 1-ranked Texas-Tyler.
No. 15 OC was tied with the Patriots late in one softball game and ahead in the other, but Texas-Tyler produced a pair of explosive sixth innings that proved to be the difference as it swept the Eagles 6-2 and 8-4 in a doubleheader at Suddenlink Field.
With the wins, Texas-Tyler (36-4, 22-4 Lone Star Conference) seized control of the LSC regular-season race, and it now appears the league's postseason tournament likely will be held in Tyler. The Patriots, who entered Thursday tied with OC atop the toughest conference in NCAA Division II, own a two-game lead over OC (36-10, 20-6), Lubbock Christian (Texas) and Texas A&M-Commerce, which will be OC's next opponent.
The loss in the opener snapped the Eagles' 22-game winning streak, a run six games longer than anything else in the program's 28-season history. OC hadn't lost since a falling 4-2 on March 13 in the opening game of a doubleheader at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Before Thursday, that was OC's only road loss this season.
Down 2-0, OC took advantage of an error by the Patriots to tie the game in the fifth inning on a run-scoring double to center field by
Brooklin Bain. Texas-Tyler loaded the bases in the fifth but
Lindsey Stoeckel (10-1) relieved starting pitcher
Kali Crandall and escaped the jam without damage.
The Eagles weren't so fortunate in the sixth. With runners on second and third base and one out,
Kylie Janzen lined into an inning-ending double play, with pinch-runner
Kate Bradley caught off second base. It was the second time in the game OC had lined into an inning-ending double play with two runners in scoring position.
It got worse in the bottom of the inning. The Patriots' first two batters singled before pinch-hitter Audrey Escamilla smashed a three-run home run over the center-field wall. Texas-Tyler later tacked on another run, and pitcher Tatum Goff completed her complete-game three-hitter by retiring the Eagles in order in the seventh inning. Goff (6-3) finished with eight strikeouts.
Bain led off the second game with a home run to right-center field. Texas-Tyler tied the game in the second inning but
Aaliyah Brown put the Eagles right back ahead in the third inning with a three-run homer that scored Bain and
Hannah Pate, who each had singled ahead of her.
OC starter
Grace Anderson (12-3) cruised until the sixth inning. A double by Escamilla plated two runs and Courtney Plocheck later followed with a bases-loaded double off OC reliever
Kali Crandall before Ashley Perez hit a two-run homer to cap the seven-run outburst.
Sarah Gartman (8-0), who pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief, picked up the pitching win for the Patriots.
OC must try to bounce back against another tough opponent, as the Eagles will travel to No. 19 Texas A&M-Commerce for a Tuesday doubleheader. The Eagles will close the regular season next Friday at Cameron.
GAME 1 STATISTICS
