Clarksville, Ark. - The University of the Ozarks softball team used timely hitting from Brilea Rofkahr and a gritty pitching performance to edge Austin College 4-3 on Saturday in game one.

Ozarks (7-3, 5-1 SCAC) overcame five defensive errors thanks to an outstanding effort in the circle from Morgan Haupt, who tossed a complete-game eight innings. The right-hander allowed 10 hits and three runs — none earned — while striking out nine and walking just one to move to 2-1 on the year.

Back-and-Forth Battle

Austin (4-7, 4-5 SCAC) opened the scoring in the first inning on an unearned run before the Eagles answered immediately. Sage Adams lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Emma Reynolds to tie the game at 1-1.

The 'Roos regained the lead in the fourth on another unearned run, but Ozarks responded in the sixth. Skyler Riddle delivered an RBI single to even the score, and Lori-Ann Hughes later reached on an error that allowed Riddle to score and give the Eagles a 3-2 advantage.

Austin tied it again in the seventh on a sacrifice fly, setting up late-game drama.

Rofkahr Delivers the Winner

In the bottom of the eighth, Brilea Rofkahr came through with the decisive swing, ripping a double to left-center that scored Isabella Hulsey and lifted Ozarks to the 4-3 victory.

Rofkahr finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Riddle also drove in a run. Hulsey reached base three times with a hit and two walks.

Despite being outhit 10-8, Ozarks made its opportunities count and received 14 fly-ball outs from its defense behind Haupt.

Game Two

The Eagles dropped a 5-0 decision to Austin College in game two as the Kangaroos used a five-run surge over the final three innings and a one-hitter to secure the win.

Austin broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning on an RBI single to left, plating the game's first run. The Kangaroos added two more in the sixth, capitalizing on an Ozarks error to extend the lead to 3-0.

In the seventh, Austin tacked on two insurance runs. Ozarks was limited to just one hit in the contest — a single by Jorden Hodges. The Eagles threatened sparingly, drawing one walk and reaching via two hit-by-pitches, but couldn't generate timely offense against the Austin starter. Harrell was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game one-hitter with two strikeouts and one walk on 67 pitches.

Bailee Cowell took the loss for Ozarks after tossing seven innings while striking out four.

Up Next
The Eagles host Lyon College March 3 in a double-header beginning at 1:00 p.m.