Softball Team Slips Past Southern Nazarene

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. USAO’s next home action is an April 7 doubleheader with St. Gregory’s.

In Tuesday’s 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 fielder’s choice, and scored on an error by SNU catcher Danielle Barrilleaux to complete the Drovers’ 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.