LeTourneau sweeps Ozarks

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – The LeTourneau University softball team took the weekend American Southwest Conference East Division series Saturday by sweeping the University of the Ozarks, 3-2 and 7-1, at Hurie Field.

 

The YellowJackets, who split with the Lady Eagles on Friday, improved to 11-9 overall and 3-7 in ASC East play.

 

After a scoreless first in the opener, the YellowJackets plated a run in the second inning as Kali Behrens singled through the left side and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kelsie Mercer-Stephenson. Alex Flanagan reached on an error as Behrens took third. A wild pitch scored Behrens to give LeTourneau a 1-0 lead.

 

The advantage grew to 2-0 in the top of the third as the YellowJackets scored a run on three hits.

 

Juliana Tuel led off the frame with a base hit to center and Kylie Packard followed with a single to left-center. Kayla Blucher, who went 2-for-4, reached on an infield hit to load the bases. With one down, Behrens grounded out to second to plate Tuel.

 

Ozarks (7-15, 1-7) tied the game at two with a pair of runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth.

 

However, LeTourneau answered and retook the lead with a run in the top of the seventh as Packard reached on a fielder's choice with two outs. Crissy Simmons pinch ran for Packard and stole second. Blucher followed with a single up the middle to score Simmons and give the YellowJackets a 3-2 advantage.

 

Flanagan (4-2) pitched a complete-game, six-hitter. She gave up two runs with a walk and a strikeout to earn the win.

 

Stephany Henson (4-7) took the loss after working all seven innings. She surrendered three runs (one earned) on six hits with a pair of strikeouts.

 

In the second game, LeTourneau jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

 

Ashley McPhail reached on an error to began the game and advanced to second on a Blucher ground out. McPhail took third on a Mickelboro ground out and scored on a Simmons base hit through the right side. Packard, who walked prior to Simmons' hit, took second on the play and came in to score on a single to right by Kali Behrens.

 

The YellowJackets increased the lead to 5-0 with three runs – all with two outs – in the second.

 

McPhail reached on an error and advanced all the way to third when Blucher singled and took second on an error. Mickelboro delivered the big bat with a three-run homer to account for the LeTourneau scoring in the frame.

 

Ozarks trimmed the deficit to 5-1 with a run in the bottom of the inning, but LeTourneau extended the margin with a pair of runs in the fifth.

 

Stephenson singled to left with two outs in the inning. Aubrey Couvillion reached on an error, moving Stephenson to second. Tuel also reached on an error as Couvillion took second and Stephenson scored. McPhail singled to left to plate Couvillion to give LeTourneau a 7-1 lead.

 

Stephenson earned the win and improved to 7-3. She gave up one run (unearned) on four hits with six strikeouts. Gina Buysman worked the final two innings in relief.

 

Kaci Foster took the loss and fell to 1-5. She pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up five runs (all unearned) on four hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout. Kelsey Mefford pitched in relief.

 

LeTourneau returns to the diamond 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 30 in Pineville, La., against top-ranked Louisiana College.