Tyler, Texas - It's all about the response. Tonight, in Tyler, Texas, the Eagles responded in a big way with a dominant performance in an opening-round matchup with Lubbock Christian.
 
The Eagles were 0-2 at last year's regional, and this past Sunday, they lost a battle against UT Tyler in the Lone Star Conference Championship. But tonight, OC broke the "curse" as head coach Shalee Rodriguez referred to last year's regional trip and set up a rematch against UT Tyler tomorrow at noon.
 
Jill Dickson struck out two Chaps in her first appearance in the NCAA Regionals, setting up what would be another great outing in the circle.
 
OC's offense took advantage of defensive miscues in the first inning, picking up two runs on two errors and a hit. Brooklin Bain reached on an error to lead off the inning and moved to second on a Whitney Walde single. Kristen Whitehouse moved the runners to second and third, and a Kylie Janzen sacrifice RBI brought Bain home.
 
Aaliyah Brown was hit by a pitch, and Boo Robinson walked load the bases putting Walde at third base. Chloe Woodward put the ball in play, and another error led to a bang-bang play at the plate when Whitney Walde snuck her foot in before the tag to give OC a 2-0 lead.
 
Dickson picked up all three outs in the top of the second with strikeouts, and the offense added to the advantage in the bottom of the inning.
 
Hannah Pate led the inning off with a single, and Bain walked to put runners on first and second, leading to loading the bases again when Walde reached on an error. Whitehouse took advantage of the runners in scoring position, knocking in two RBIs with a double to left field.
 
Janzen picked up another sacrifice RBI, and Robinson knocked in the 4th run of the inning with a double of her own.
 
With the 6-0 lead going into the third inning, when LCU's only hit and run came on one swing.
 
Freshman Kiley Brewster and Marissa Powell shined in pinch-hit opportunities, each picking up RBIs with a double and triple, respectively. Brewster brought Kate Bradley home, who was pinch-running, and Powell brought Brewster across the plate to give Oklahoma Christian an 8-1 lead.
 
Kelsey Gammage scored on an error putting OC in position for the run-rule win, and Grace Anderson came and closed out the game in the top of the 5th.
 
Postgame Interview
 
 
UP NEXT
Oklahoma Christian's 9-1 win puts them in the winner's bracket, where they will take on UT Tyler tomorrow at noon.
 
FRIDAY, MAY 12
Game 3: Noon - Oklahoma Christian vs. UT Tyler
Game 4: 3:00 p.m. - St. Edward's vs. Lubbock Christian
Game 5: 6 p.m. - Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner
 
SATURDAY, MAY 13
Game 6: Noon - Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 7: 3:00 p.m. - Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser (if necessary)