Softball Team Sweeps Northwestern

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 Gregory’s 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 didn’t 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 Drovers’ 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 didn’t surrender a walk in her third complete-game shutout of the season.