ECU softball team drops three close calls to Arkansas Tech
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The East Central University softball team tied the game with a run in the top of the seventh inning against host Arkansas Tech Saturday during the third and final game of their weekend series inside the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex.
But the Golden Suns answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh to clip the Tigers 6-5 and complete the weekend sweep.
East Central suffered its 10th straight setback, falling to 12-16 overall and 5-12 in Great American Conference games. Arkansas Tech improved to 19-15 and 9-8.
Arkansas Tech 6, ECU 5
East Central trailed 5-4 heading into the top of the seventh inning.
Brooklyn Fleming got things started for the Tigers with a one-out single. Pinch-runner Jaicee Stott went to second on a groundout by Jami Watson and raced to third on a passed ball.
Stott tied the game at 5-5 when she scurried home after a wild pitch.
The Golden Suns went right to work in the bottom of the seventh when Caroline Wilhelm walked and Maycie Hardy followed with a double down the left field line.
After a groundout, Riley Drake was safe on an infield single that loaded the bases. Wilhelm then scored the game-winning on an ECU error. The Tigers committed four total miscues in the contest.
East Central grabbed an early 3-0 lead when Amiah Galcatcher ripped a three-run homer over the left field fence with two outs in the bottom of the first inning.
Shayne Roberts doubled and later scored on the lone ATU error of the game in the top of the third inning that pushed the ECU advantage to 4-0.
Arkansas Tech finally got on the scoreboard with a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning and then put together a four-run burst in the bottom of the fifth frame to speed to a 5-4 lead. That set up the seventh-inning dramatics.
The Tigers finished with five total hits by five different players.
The Golden Suns piled up 12 hits, which included a 3-for-3 showing by Hardy. Wilhelm finished 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and three runs scored and Riley Drake went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Lexi Gorniak also knocked in two runs for the hosts.
Brooklyn Charnock turned in a solid start in the circle for the Tigers. She struck out two, walked one and allowed just one earned run in 3.1 innings.
Alexis Findley got the start for ATU. She struck out five, walked one and allowed three earned runs in 4.1 innings. Aly White was credited with the victory in relief. She didn’t have any strikeouts or walks and allowed just one unearned run over the final 2.2 innings.
East Central is back in action today traveling to Wichita, Kansas, for a 2 p.m. doubleheader with host Newman University.
Tigers drop two tight games FridayRUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The East Central University softball team began its weekend series with Arkansas Tech with a couple of tough losses Friday at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex.
After dropping a 6-3 decision in the opener, the Golden Suns completed the sweep with a 1-0 decision in the nightcap.
East Central lost for the ninth straight time, falling to 12-15 overall and 5-11 in Great American Conference play. The Golden Suns improved to 18-15 and 8-8.
Arkansas Tech 6, East Central 3
Arkansas Tech got on the scoreboard first when Neveah Wilson delivered a two-out, two-RBI triple in the bottom of the second inning that put the hosts ahead 2-0. That inning included a two-out ECU error.
The Golden Suns added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. The first came on a run-scoring base hit by Savannah Snow and after Sadie Turner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
The Tigers got out of that jam without any further damage after turning a double play.
East Central tallied single runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings to close the gap to 4-2. Elyse LeClair had an RBI single in the fifth inning and McKinley Feazle knocked in a run in the fifth.
Arkansas Tech answered with two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth via RBI singles from Kacie Gibbins and Anna Winkfield that put the hosts ahead 6-2.
Amiah Galcatcher blasted a home run with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to account for the final Tiger run.
East Central collected six hits in the game, led by Addisyn Cox who finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. Caton Muncy and Shayne Roberts clubbed doubles for the visitors.
Wilson paced the Golden Suns at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Starting pitcher Taylor Spence was solid for the Tigers. She struck out four, walked two and allowed just two earned runs in 3.1 innings. Lindsey Mauppin tossed the final 2.2 innings.
Alexis Findley went the distance for Arkansas Tech. She struck out seven, walked two and allowed just one earned run in seven innings.
Arkansas Tech 1, ECU 0
The game was scoreless before Arkansas Tech scored in the bottom of the seventh.
Maycie Hardy led off the seventh inning for ATU with a double and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sharlee Jackson. With two outs, Lexi Gorniak drove home the winning run with a walk-off base hit.
East Central’s best scoring opportunity came in the top of the fifth inning.
Emily Bingham led off with a base hit and McKinley Feazle was safe at first on a fielder’s choice.
Jaice Stott walked and — after Abbey Strong reached on a fielder’s choice — Elyse LeClair walked to load the bases.
Amiah Galcatcher stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter for the Tigers and Arkansas Tech sent reliever Bradi Basler to the circle. She struck out the dangerous ECU slugger to end that threat.
In the bottom of the fifth, ATU pinch-runner Brooklyn Haney tried to score from second when Neveah Wilson looped a single into the deep part of the infield that nearly made it into the outfield. But she was cut down at the plate on a defensive gem by ECU shortstop LeClair.
Chloe Williams pitched the entire game for East Central. She struck out one, didn’t walk a batter and allowed one run in 6.2 innings.
Basler earned the pitching win in relief for Arkansas Tech. She struck out five, walked one and didn’t allow a hit in 2.1 scoreless innings.
ECU finished with just three hits, including a double by Galcatcher. Feazle proved a base hit for the visitors.
Hardy and Wilson had two hits each for the Golden Suns.
-
Wonder Boys sweep past ECU baseball team
Arkansas Tech scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to slip past East Central 8-5 in Game 1 of a Great American Conference twinbill Saturday at Ken Turner Field. In Game 2, the Wonder ...Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Tigers lose on walkoff in close game against Wenatchee
Mar. 20—EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers softball team lost to Wenatchee 6-5 in a tight game Tuesday. Ephrata was up 5-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, but Wenatchee was able to score three runs ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Texas A&M softball takes the series after 13-2 run-rule victory over Auburn on Saturday
The Texas A&M softball team earned its first conference series after run-ruling Auburn 13-2 in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
How Oregon softball did against Illinois in a three-game Big Ten series
No. 8 Oregon softball beat visiting Illinois three times over the weekend at Jane Sanders Stadium, including twice by run rule on SaturdayYahoo Sports - 2d -
Softball: Timely hits help Sooners rally, secure series win over Arkansas
Sydney Barker was absolutely battling. With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the sixth inning, the based loaded and two outs on the board, Barker was locked into a full 3-2 count. The Sooners ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Pitt-Johnstown softball team splits pair of nonconference games at Salem
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – After suffering a 4-3 loss in Wednesday’s nonconference opener against Salem, the Pitt-Johnstown softball team got a complete game from Mahlon Yonkin and two hits and two RBIs ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
What channel is OU softball vs Arkansas on today? Time, TV schedule for Sooners game
What channel is Oklahoma softball vs Arkansas on today? Here's how to watch, including time, TV schedule and live streaming info.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
'Whatever it takes': Texas Tech basketball doesn't have to be pretty in March to win games
The Texas Tech basketball team has made a habit of being in close games this season and found itself in another one on Thursday against Baylor.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Arkansas vs Texas Tech Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Sweet 16 Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Why did the Commanders sign formerly retired veteran NFL wide receiver?
Retiring and sitting out the 2024 season, Michael Gallup comes out of retirement, signing to play for Commanders' Dan Quinn.Yahoo Sports - 54m -
Lauren Macuga is skiing fast and having a blast doing it
Lauren Macuga from Park City, Utah, finished the World Cup season fourth in downhill rankings. She's a medal contender for the 2026 Olympics.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Swiatek gets extra security after harassment
World number two Iga Swiatek is receiving additional security at the Miami Open after she was harassed by a spectator during her practice.Media reports said that Swiatek was verbally harassed by a ...Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Raiders sign former Panthers veteran starting TE
Tuesday the Raiders added some depth to the tight end room with the addition of longtime Panthers TE Ian Thomas.Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Bengals show more pre-draft interest in notable name
More updates on the Bengals working ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Heat cruise to a win over Warriors in Butler's return to Miami
With Jimmy Butler back in the building, the Miami Heat handled the Golden State Warriors to get the win.ESPN - 3h -
March Madness 2025: Ranking every coach in the Sweet 16 as NCAA Tournament rolls on to regional semifinals
From 1-16, Kyle Boone ranks the coaches still standing in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 fieldCBS Sports - 3h -
Sources: QB Wilson, Giants agree to 1-year deal
The Giants and free agent QB Russell Wilson reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal eliminates New York as a potential option this ...ESPN - 4h -
Sources: Diggs, Pats agree on 3-year, $69M deal
Stefon Diggs and the New England Patriots reached an agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal that includes $26 million guaranteed.ESPN - 4h -
Lillard out indefinitely due to blood clot in calf
Bucks guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and is out indefinitely.ESPN - 4h