GULF SHORES, Ala. - The Oklahoma Christian softball program started off 2025 the same way it has started five of the last six years: with a win. The Eagles took down Union in game one of the Gulf Shores Invitational.

North Texas transfer Maci George delivered three hits - a home run shy of hitting for the cycle - three RBI and one run in her Eagle debut. Veteran Grace Anderson echoed George with three hits of her own while true freshman Marti Yaerger recorded two hits in the lead-off position.

2024 Lone Star Conference First Team selection Jill Dickson got the win in the circle, going all seven innings with eight strikeouts to just one walk and four earned runs.

Oklahoma Christian opened the 2025 campaign with a three-spot in the first inning of the new year, behind an Anderson two-RBI double and a George RBI-double. After Yaerger opened her college career with a walk, Kiley Brewster singled and Kadence Brewster walked before Anderson and George brought in the three runs.

After being held scoreless through the first two innings by OC ace Jill Dickson, the Bulldogs fought back with two runs in the third and another in the fourth to tie up the game at 3-3.

The game stood at a tie for two OC batters before a Yaerger double scored Kate Paulsen, who singled to lead things off in the bottom of the fourth, to retake the lead. Yaerger stole home later in the frame for the two-run advantage, 5-3.

Dickson allowed just four more hits and one run the rest of the way as an Eagle three-spot in the fifth, thanks to Anderson's second double and George's triple, gave the game its final score, 8-4.

Oklahoma Christian (1-0, 0-0 LSC) will return for day two of the 2025 Gulf Shores Invitational when it takes on Montevallo and Valdosta State Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.