Softball Team Wins Gold Consolation Title At Gulf Coast Tourney

CROWLEY, Texas ­ After a heartbreaking loss in the first game, the USAO 
softball team came back with a convincing win the nightcap to split a
doubleheader Tuesday against Texas Wesleyan. The Drovers lost the first
game, 5-4, but followed with a 9-2 victory in the second game at Teeter
Park.
 
With the split, No. 5 USAO runs its record to 4-3 overall, with the
conference opener just around the corner. On Thursday, the Drovers travel to
Ada for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against East Central. USAO is at Bacone
College Feb. 22 for a 2 p.m. twin bill, followed by the home opener against
Oklahoma City on March 1.
 
In Tuesday¹s first game, Texas Wesleyan catcher Amanda Milam crushed a
two-run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Lady Rams a
5-4 victory. USAO had taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the 10th inning, when
senior Alana Hare scored on a throwing error by TWU pitcher Devin Blew.
 
Texas Wesleyan (2-1) got on the board first in the second inning, but USAO
fought back with two runs in the third inning for a 2-1 lead. The Drovers
added a run in the top of the sixth, and the Lady Rams answered back with
two runs for a 3-3 tie.
 
Judkins, junior Nikki Aguilar, sophomore Morgan Skelley, junior Amanda
Cotton and freshman Tanna Truelove had two hits each for USAO. Junior
pitcher Dana Askins (1-2) took the loss, allowing four runs on 11 hits. The
left-hander struck out four and walked two in her second complete game of
the season. 
 
Things turned around for USAO in the nightcap, as the Drovers scored three
runs in the fourth, two in the sixth, and four in the seventh for a
convincing 9-2 win. Texas Wesleyan, meanwhile, managed just two runs in the
bottom of the fifth.
 
Freshman Jennifer Bridgeforth got the fourth inning rally started with a
bunt single. Two batters later, Aguilar cleared the bases with a three-run
home run, her third on the season. Hey and Aguilar also had doubles for
USAO¹s other extra-base hits.
 
Aguilar and junior Stephanie Hey each had two hits for the Drovers, while
Aguilar collected four RBIs and scored three times. Junior pitcher Kindra
Gregory (3-1) got a career-high 12 strikeouts for the win. The right-hander
allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits, and just one walk in her fifth
start and second complete game of the season. (top)

ADA ­ For the second time in as many days, the USAO softball team split a
doubleheader. This time, the fifth-ranked Drovers beat East Central 4-2 in
the first game, but dropped the second 2-0 at Lady Tiger Field.
 
With the split, the Drovers move to 5-4 overall as the first month of the
season draws to a close. This Tuesday, USAO is scheduled for a trip to
Muskogee for a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Bacone College. The Drovers¹ home
opener on March 1 is a Sooner Athletic Conference twin bill against Oklahoma
City.
 
In the first game, USAO junior Nikki Aguilar¹s three-run home run was the
highlight of a four-run fifth inning as the Drovers overcame a 2-0 deficit
to rally for the 4-2 win. Freshman Jessica Darling scored the Drovers¹ other
run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to left field by junior Dana Askins.
 
East Central (1-1) scored a run in the bottom of the first on a bunt single,
and added another in the third on a solo home run by Courtney McCarty. USAO
had another opportunity score runs in the top of the first, as the Drovers
had two runners on base with two outs. The Drovers left four other runners
on base over the rest of the game.
 
Aguilar went 2-for-4 with a run scored and the three runs batted in as USAO
finished with seven hits. Senior Crystal Judkins, the leadoff batter, went
3-for-4 with a double and a run scored for the winners.
 
Junior Kindra Gregory (4-1) earned the pitching victory for USAO as she went
the seven-inning distance, allowing two earned runs. The right-hander,
coming off a career outing against Texas Wesleyan, struck out three and
walked one.
 
USAO¹s offense slowed a bit in the nightcap, as the Drovers collected three
hits in a 2-0 loss. The Drovers had runners on second and third with one out
in the bottom of the fourth, but weren¹t able to convert when freshman Tanna
Truelove lined into a double play. East Central repeated its performance in
the first game, collecting one run in the first and another in the third.
 
Aguilar, sophomore Morgan Skelley and junior Amanda Cotton each had hits for
the Drovers. Askins (1-3) took the loss, allowing two runs on five hits. The
left-hander struck out six and walked one.  (top)

In a battle of top five teams, both No. 5 USAO and No. 3 Oklahoma City could
go away happy Tuesday, as the teams split a conference doubleheader at Bill
Smith Ballpark. The Drovers took the first game 4-3 in extra innings, but
the Stars came back with a 4-1 win in the nightcap.
 
With the split, USAO moves its record to 8-5 overall and 1-1 in the Sooner
Athletic Conference. This weekend, the Drovers are scheduled to make their
second straight appearance in the Gulf Coast Invitational in Orange Beach,
Ala. They are back home March 10 for a 2 p.m. conference doubleheader
against Northwestern.
 
In the first game Tuesday, USAO scored a run in the bottom of the first, and
OCU answered with two in the second for a 2-1 lead. The Drovers tied at 2-2
in the sixth, forcing the extra inning. OCU opened the eighth with a run,
but USAO answered with two runs for the 4-3 win.
 
USAO freshman Tanna Truelove scored the Drovers¹ run in the first on a
passed ball, after reaching base on a single to left field. Sophomore Morgan
Skelley belted her second home run of the season in the sixth inning to
force a 2-2 tie. 
 
Seniors Crystal Judkins and Stephanie Hey each had RBI singles to give the
Drovers a 4-3 win. Junior Dana Askins, who was placed on second because of
the international tiebreaker, scored on Judkins¹ single, while Skelley
crossed the plate on Hey¹s single.
 
Judkins went 3-for-4 to lead USAO, and Truelove (2-for-4) added two hits and
scored once. Skelley was 1-for-3 with the home run and scored twice. Others
with hits were Askins, junior Nikki Aguilar, and Hey. Askins (4-3) allowed
three runs on six hits for her third straight win. The left-hander struck
out five and walked one in eight innings.
 
After three scoreless innings, Oklahoma City broke things open with two runs
in the fourth and two in the sixth. USAO answered back with one run in the
sixth ­ a two-out single by junior Amanda Cotton to score Truelove.
 
Truelove (1-for-3), Cotton (1-for-3) and Hey (1-for-2) had the Drovers¹ only
hits. Junior Kindra Gregory (4-2) allowed four runs on seven hits for her
second loss. The right-hander struck out two in four innings. Askins allowed
a hit in three innings of relief. (top)

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. ­ For the second straight season, the USAO softball team
competed in the prestigious Gulf Coast Invitational and won a second
championship. This time, the Drovers claimed a Gold Bracket consolation
championship with a 7-0 win Sunday against North Georgia College and State
University.
 
Over the three-day tournament, No. 5 USAO came away with a 4-2 record,
including a win over 17th-ranked Lee, Tenn., University. The Drovers are now
12-7 overall, and have a light week ahead. On Thursday, USAO is scheduled to
host Northwestern in a 2 p.m. conference doubleheader at Bill Smith
Ballpark. 
 
In addition to the victory over North Georgia, USAO beat Lee, Tenn.,
University 1-0 on Sunday. The Drovers lost both games on Saturday, the first
a 1-0 loss to Lee, Tenn., and a 1-0 loss to University of Mobile, Ala. USAO
had an east time Friday, with a 9-0 win over host-team Spring Hill, Ala.,
College and a 16-1 win over Reinhardt, Ga., College.
 
USAO 3, North Georgia 0
 
USAO scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the first inning to
breeze past North Georgia College and State University 3-0 in the Gold
Bracket Consolation championship game Sunday afternoon at the Gulf Coast
Invitational in Orange Beach, Alabama. Junior Kindra Gregory scattered six
hits over seven innings, struck out five and allowed no runs in picking up
the complete-game shutout.
 
Senior Cyrstal Judkins led off the game with a single and scored on a
two-run home run in the first by junior Dana Askins. Askins went 1-for-2,
with a home run and one stolen base. Judkins finished 2-for-3 from the plate
with a double and a run scored.
 
USAO 1, Lee, Tenn. 0
 
After a previous to Lee, Tenn., USAO responded Sunday with a dramatic 1-0
win to advance to the gold bracket consolation championship. In the bottom
of the seventh inning, Judkins drew a two-out walk. Judkins stole second,
and freshman Tanna Truelove drew another walk to put runners at first and
second. 
 
Askins then stepped up and hit a blooper that fell just in front of the
second baseman and squirted underneath her glove. Judkins came all the way
around from second and beat the throw to the plate as USAO won in dramatic
fashion. Askins, who got the game-winning hit, also picked up the win on the
mound. Askins went seven complete innings allowing just one hit and no
earned runs, while striking out four.
 
Mobile, Ala. 1, USAO 0
 
University of Mobile¹s Meredith Tanner belted a solo home run over the left
field fence in the top of the fourth inning as the 4th-ranked Rams defeated
USAO 1-0 in the first round of Gold Bracket play in the Gulf Coast
Invitational.
 
 USAO pitchers Kindra Gregory and Askins combined to allow just two hits to
go along with three strikeouts.
 
Lee, Tenn. 1, USAO 0
 
Kelly Golden of Lee, Tenn., hit a game-winning home run in a 1-0 win over
USAO 1-0 in the final game of pool play at the Gulf Coast Invitational. A
pitcher¹s duel to the end, USAO¹s Askins surrendered only three hits and
struck out eight. 
 
USAO 9, Spring Hill, Ga. 0
 
USAO handily defeated tournament host Spring Hill College 9-0 to finish out
the first day of action at the 2nd annual Gulf Coast Invitational. The USAO
Drovers were in command on both sides of the score sheet as Askins dominated
from the pitcher¹s circle allowing only three hits while striking out nine
in seven innings. 
 
At the plate the Drovers scored five in the first inning and never looked
back as they combined for nine runs on as many hits. Senior Alana Hare went
2-for-2 from the plate with junior Nikki Aguilar going 1-for-3 with two runs
scored and junior Courtney Foley adding two more runs on 1-for-3 hitting.
Askins also added a solo homerun in the win.
 
USAO 16, Reinhardt, Ga. 1
 
USAO scored nine times in the bottom of the third inning, to blow past
Reinhardt, Ga., College 16-1 in round one of pool play Friday afternoon at
the Gulf Coast Invitational.
 
Truelove collected three hits in the game, drove in two runs and scored
twice, while sophomore Morgan Skelley went 2-for-4 from the plate with a
double and 2 RBIs in the win. Kindra Gregory picked up the win in the
five-inning shortened game, allowing one run on two hits and striking out
seven. (top)

USAO baseball player Russell Boswell and softball pitcher Dana Askins have
recently earned honors from the Sooner Athletic Conference. Boswell was
named the SAC Player of the Week for Feb. 28-March 6, while Askins was
tabbed as the SAC and Region VI Pitcher of the Week for Feb. 21-27.
 
Boswell, a 6-foot-2 sophomore shortstop from Chickasha, batted .454
(10-for-22) on the week, including six runs scored and five RBIs. Boswell
also had two doubles and six walks. The Drovers went 5-3 for the week,
including doubleheader sweeps over Rogers State and Peru State, Neb., last
weekend.
 
For the season, Boswell leads the Drovers with a .415 batting average, a
.484 on-base percentage, and eight doubles. He is second on the team with a
.566 slugging percentage, third with eight RBIs, and has five stolen bases
in six attempts. USAO is 8-10 overall, and begins conference play this
weekend.
 
Askins, a 5-10 junior from Moore, allowed just one earned run and seven hits
over 15 innings in No. 5 USAO¹s doubleheader sweep Feb. 22 over No. 10
Bacone College. The left-hander struck out 12 batters against three walks.
 
Through 21 games, Askins is 7-4 with a team-best 71 strikeouts and 0.54
earned-run average. At the plate, she has posted a .281 batting average, and
is third on the team with a .423 slugging percentage. Askins also leads the
Drovers with a .426 on-base percentage and eight stolen bases. (top)

Keyed by a two-run rally to win the first game, the USAO softball team
easily won the second to sweep a conference doubleheader Thursday over
Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Drovers defeated the Lady Rangers 3-1 in
the first game, and 6-0 in the nightcap at Bill Smith Ballpark.
 
With the wins, USAO improves to 14-7 overall and 3-1 in the Sooner Athletic
Conference. After a short break, the Drovers host doubleheaders against
Oklahoma Christian on Tuesday and Texas A&M-Kingsville on Wednesday. Both
twin bills are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Bill Smith Ballpark.
 
In the first game, USAO jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second
when sophomore Morgan Skelley scored on an error. Northwestern scored in the
top of the fourth on a two-out bunt single to force a 1-1 tie.
 
After being shutout over three straight innings, USAO scored two in the
bottom of the seventh for the win. Junior Kindra Gregory¹s double proved to
be the difference, and scored junior Stephanie Hey, who started the rally
with a one-out triple, and junior Nikki Aguilar, who reached base on an
intentional walk.
 
Skelley, Hey, Gregory, senior Alana Hare, junior Keeley McKinnon, and junior
Courtney Foley each had hits for USAO. Junior Dana Askins (7-4) allowed one
run on four hits to pick up the win. The left-hander struck out eight, but
didn¹t allow a walk in her third complete-game shutout of the season.
 
In the nightcap, USAO scored one run each in the first and third innings,
three in the fourth and another in the sixth. Senior Crystal Judkins hit a
single to center field to drive in Hare and junior Nikki Aguilar, while
Gregory scored an error on the play. Judkins also added a double, and Askins
had two doubles for the Drovers¹ extra-base hits.
 
Judkins (3-for-4) and Askins (2-for-2) had multiple hits to lead USAO.
Gregory (7-3) scattered four hits over seven innings for the win. The
right-hander struck out two and didn¹t surrender a walk in her third
complete-game shutout of the season. (top)

Early rain showers and overcast skies gave way to sunshine Wednesday, and
the USAO softball team took advantage with a doubleheader sweep against
Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Drovers came from behind to win the first game
2-1, but had an easier time in the second for a 4-0 victory at Bill Smith
Ballpark.
 
With the sweep, USAO improves to 16-7 overall. The Drovers have a bit of a
break before traveling to Shawnee March 22 for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against
Oklahoma Baptist. On March 26, USAO is scheduled to host Oklahoma Christian
in a 2 p.m. doubleheader, which was postponed from March 15.
 
In the first game Wednesday, Texas A&M-Kingsville, which plays in the NCAA
Division II¹s Lone Star Conference, opened the game with a run in the top of
the first. Neither team scored until USAO won the game with two runs in the
bottom of the seventh.
 
Freshman Tanna Truelove opened the seventh inning with a bunt single,
followed by a walk by senior Alana Hare. After a pop out and a strikeout,
senior Crystal Judkins belted her fifth double of the season to center field
to score Truelove and Hare for the 2-1 victory.
 
Judkins (1-for-3), Truelove (1-for-2), junior Stephanie Hey (1-for-3), and
sophomore Morgan Skelley (1-for-2) had hits for USAO. Hey had the Drovers¹
other extra-base hit, a double to open the fifth inning. Junior Dana Askins
(8-4) allowed one run on four hits and struck out two in the complete-game
victory.
 
The second game Wednesday was a bit easier for the Drovers, as they scored
two runs in the first, one in the fifth and one in the sixth for a 4-0 win.
In USAO¹s first-inning rally, Askins drove in Judkins on a groudout to
shortstop, while Skelley belted her fourth double of the season to score
junior Courtney Foley.
 
Foley scored again in the fifth after an errant throw from Kingsville
catcher, Julia Canales. Hey¹s sacrifice fly to right field in the sixth
scored Truelove. Judkins (2-for-3) and Foley (2-for-3) had multiple hits for
the Drovers, who finished with seven for the game.
 
Others with hits included Askins, Skelley and Hey. Junior Kindra Gregory
(8-3) struck out four and allowed six hits in the complete-game shutout. (top)

SHAWNEE ­ Backed by strong pitching, the USAO softball team swept a
low-scoring conference doubleheader Wednesday with Oklahoma Baptist. The
Drovers won the first game 1-0 and came back with a 3-0 victory in the
nightcap at Lady Bison Park.
 
With the wins, USAO improves its record to 18-7 overall and 5-1 in the
Sooner Athletic Conference. The Drovers are currently on an eight-game
winning streak, and are scheduled to host Oklahoma Christian Saturday in a 1
p.m. doubleheader at Bill Smith Ballpark. Their next home doubleheader is
March 29 against Southern Nazarene.
 
In the first game Wednesday, USAO scored its only run in the top of the
third inning, while junior pitcher Dana Askins only allowed one base runner
in the 1-0 win. Senior Alana Hare started the third inning with a single,
and scored two batters later on a single by senior Crystal Judkins.
 
Hare (2-for-3) and junior Kindra Gregory (2-for-3) combined for four of
USAO¹s five hits in the game. Askins (9-4) struck out a season-high 12
batters and allowed one hit in her 12th complete game and third shutout of
the season.
 
The Drovers produced a bit more offense in the nightcap, scoring a run in
the fourth and two in the seventh for the 3-0 victory. After a groundout to
open the fourth inning, Askins earned a walk, stole second base and advanced
to third on an error by the catcher. She scored two pitches later on a
passed ball.
 
Another groundout opened the seventh for USAO, but freshman Jennifer
Bridgeforth reached base on a fielding error by OBU pitcher Amanda Zahara.
Two batters later, Judkins belted her sixth double of the season to score
Bridgeforth and senior Stephanie Hey, who reached on a single to left field.
 
Judkins (1-for-4), Askins (1-for-2), Bridgeforth (1-for-3) and Hey (1-for-2)
had hits for the Drovers. Judkins and Askins also had USAO¹s two extra-base
hits. Askins (10-4) struck out seven and allowed two hits in 4 2/3 innings
for the win. Gregory, the starter, allowed three hits, two walks and struck
out one in 2 1/3 innings. (top)

Dana Askins of USAO and Sandra Darmstadt of Oklahoma Christian and have been
named Sooner Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher and Player of the Week for
March 21-27. Askins and Darmstadt also were tabbed as the top pitcher and
player in Region VI.
 
Askins, a junior from Moore, claimed wins in both ends of a doubleheader at
Oklahoma Baptist. The left-hander tossed a one-hitter in the first game and
4.2 innings of scoreless relief to win the second game. She also recorded 19
strikeouts in the doubleheader, against only one walk.
 
For the season, Askins boasts a league-best 0.41 earned-run average, and is
second in the SAC with 6.2 strikeouts per seven innings and a 10-4 record.
Askins and junior Kindra Gregory have combined for league-best 0.77 ERA.
 
Currently, USAO is 18-7 overall and first in the SAC standings at 5-1.
Today, the Drovers host Southern Nazarene in a 2 p.m. conference
doubleheader, and travel to Kansas City, Mo., this weekend to compete in the
Avila University tournament.
 
Darmstadt, a freshman outfielder from Lewisville, Texas, batted .750 for the
week with three runs, two home runs and eight RBI in two SAC wins at
Southern Nazarene.  (top)

After a splitting with Oklahoma City in its first conference opener, the
USAO softball team has won its last three conference doubleheaders,
including a sweep Tuesday against Southern Nazarene. The Drovers won the
first game 5-0 and slipped past the Crimson Storm 2-1 in the nightcap at
Bill Smith Ballpark.

With the wins, USAO improves to 20-7 overall and 7-1 in the Sooner Athletic
Conference. The Drovers are on a 10-game winning streak, and travel this
weekend to Kansas City, Mo., to compete in the Dennis Gault Tournament.
USAO¹s next home action is a March 7 doubleheader with St. Gregory¹s.

In Tuesday¹s first game, USAO scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth,
one in the fifth and another in the sixth for the 5-0 win. After a strikeout
to open the bottom of the fourth, USAO freshman Tanna Truelove drew a walk,
stole second base, and scored on a single by junior Nikki Aguilar.

In the next at-bat, freshman Jennifer Bridgeforth belted her first double of
the season to score Aguilar. Junior Stephanie Hey reached base on a
fielder¹s choice, and scored on an error by SNU catcher Danielle Barrilleaux
to complete the Drovers¹ rally. Truelove had an RBI double in the fifth
inning, and freshman Megan McLean scored in the sixth on a passed ball,
after belting her first triple of the season.

Aguilar (2-for-3), Bridgeforth (2-for-2), and junior Dana Askins (2-for-3)
had multiple hits for USAO, and five Drovers finished with extra-base hits.
Askins (11-4) allowed one hit and struck out three for her fourth
complete-game shutout of the season.

In the nightcap, Southern Nazarene scored a run in the top of the third, but
USAO came back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to claim a 2-1 win.
Senior Alana Hare opened the fifth with a walk, stole second, and scored on
a double by freshman Jessica Darling. Darling scored when senior Keeley
McKinnon reached on an error.

Bridgeforth (1-for-2), Truelove (1-for-3), Aguilar (1-for-3), Hare
(1-for-1), Darling (1-for-2), and McKinnon (1-for-2) had hits for USAO.
Bridgeforth and Darling each had doubles for the Drovers. Junior Kindra
Gregory (9-3) struck out nine, and allowed an unearned run on six hits in
the complete-game victory. (top)

Dana Askins of USAO and Michelle Schaper of William Woods, Mo.,  University
have been named the NAIA Softball Pitcher and Player of the Week for the
week ending March 27.

Askins, a junior left-handed pitcher from Moore, guided USAO to a 2-0 record
on the week, allowing three hits in the two shutouts.  She posted 19
strikeouts and walked only one batter in 11.2 innings in 1-0 and 3-0
victories over Oklahoma Baptist University.
 
In addition, Askins recorded a one-hit shutout in the first game of a
doubleheader sweep Tuesday against Southern Nazarene, as she improved to
11-4 on the season. Askins also boasts a league-best 0.41 earned-run
average. Currently, USAO is 20-7 overall and leads the SAC standings at 7-1.
The Drovers were ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA poll.
 
Schaper, a second baseman from St. Louis, Mo., had an outstanding week at
the plate for William Woods, batting .500 with 14 RBI¹s and nine hits in 22
at-bats as the Owls went 6-2.  Schaper hit for the cycle against Alverno
College (Wis.), including a grand slam in the third inning.  William Woods
improved to 23-5 on the season. (top)

*Unless otherwise noted, all USAO Softball Articles are written by     Jason Jewell, Sports Information Director.