Clarksville, Ark. - The University of the Ozarks softball team clinched a playoff spot for the second time in program history after sweeping Centenary College Saturday.
Under the direction of head coach
David Kuhn, who is in his first year at Ozarks, the Eagles tied the school record with most wins in a season with 20. The Eagles used a fast start and a strong finish to defeat Centenary College 7-3 in game one. The Eagles struck early in the bottom of the first inning when
Isabella Hulsey delivered a two-run home run to put the Eagles ahead 2-0.
Emma Reynolds scored on the play after reaching base earlier in the inning. Centenary responded in the fourth inning with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Eagles answered immediately.
Sage Adams lifted a sacrifice fly to center field later in the inning, restoring a two-run cushion at 3-1. The visitors rallied to tie the game in the fifth inning, scoring twice on RBI singles to even the score at 3-3. The Eagles responded once again in the bottom half, as
Bailee Cowell delivered an RBI single to give the Eagles a 4-3 lead. The Eagles broke the game open in the sixth inning, plating three runs. The Eagles capitalized on a Centenary error during a bunt attempt, followed by aggressive baserunning that led to another run crossing the plate. Cowell added her second RBI of the day with a single to extend the lead to 7-3. Cowell earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete game. She allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out six and issuing no walks. At the plate, Ozarks recorded nine hits. Cowell led the way with two hits and two RBI, while Reynolds scored twice. Hulsey's first-inning home run accounted for two RBI and provided early momentum.
Game Two
The Eagles secured a doubleheader sweep of Centenary with a 4-1 victory in game two. The Eagles broke through in the third inning, scoring three runs to take control of the game.
Emma Reynolds got things started with an RBI single to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Ozarks capitalized on a Centenary error, allowing two more runs to score and extend the advantage to 3-0. Centenary answered in the fifth inning, using a groundout RBI to cut the deficit to 3-1, but Cowell's pitching kept the visitors from building any further momentum. The Eagles added an insurance run in the sixth inning when
Brilea Rofkahr delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring
Skylar Ward and pushing the lead to 4-1. Cowell turned in another dominant performance in the circle, tossing a complete game. She limited Centenary to just three hits and one run while striking out one and walking one. The Eagles recorded seven hits in the contest, with Cowell and Rofkahr each collecting two hits. Reynolds added an RBI, while Ozarks' aggressive base running played a key role, highlighted by multiple stolen bases. Centenary managed only three hits on the afternoon and was held scoreless through the first four innings as Ozarks controlled the tempo throughout. Cowell got her second win of the day and now holds the single season program record in wins with 14.
The Eagles and Ladies will finish their series tomorrow with a single game at 11:00 a.m.
