Softball Beats ECU Twice

April 4, 2009

WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University made easy work of visiting East Central University defeating the Tigers in two run-ruled shortened softball games by scores of 10-0 and 11-3. The wins improved the Bulldogs to 14-20 overall and 6-10 in the Lone Star Conference North Division Play. ECU fell to 11-20 overall and 4-18 in LSC North play.

SWOSU will play next week against Cameron University in a four-game series first in Lawton. The two teams return to Weatherford for games three and four on Friday, April 10.

Freshman pitcher Katie Raines tossed a one-hitter in the opener as the Bulldogs overwhelmed their opponent. Raines struck out four batters and walked none to improve to 4-7 on the year. She retired the final 10 batters she faced.

SWOSU scored all it would need in the first inning coming up with seven runs. Stacy Creger, Alex Zukerman and Laiken Lester each had extra base hits as the Bulldogs chased ECU starter Randee Crockett after two-thirds of an inning.

Zukerman ended the game with a three-run homer in the fifth to give the Bulldogs the necessary margin for the run rule. Zukerman's home run was her fourth of the season.

In the second game, SWOSU went ahead 4-2 in its half of the third on an RBI single by Brittany Strickland and a sacrifice fly by Sara Harwell. The margin grew to 8-3 by the end of the fourth inning and when Raven Staats smashed a two RBI double in the sixth the Bulldogs had built it to 10-3.

Staats would score the final run racing home on a fielder's choice by Fallon Bradshaw.

Zukerman got the win, her fourth of the year. She pitched six innings, allowed six hits and three runs, two of which were earned. She struckout five batters and walked just three on the day.