Clarksville, Ark. - The University of the Ozarks softball team held off Centenary College for a 3-2 victory Sunday as the Eagles posted the most wins in program history (21) and Head Coach David Kuhn collected his 900th career victory.
It was celebratory day for the program with the Eagles topping the 20-win plateau for the first time in program history. Kuhn, the winningest coach at the University of Central Arkansas and Delta State University, reached a career win milestone with the series sweep. The Eagles now prepare for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship Tournament this weekend in Abilene, Texas.
The Eagles struck first in the opening inning when Isabella Hulsey delivered an RBI single to right field, bringing home Emma Reynolds for a 1-0 lead. The game remained a pitcher's duel until the fifth inning, when Centenary tied it on a sacrifice fly. The Eagles quickly responded in the bottom half, reclaiming the lead as Kamryn Uher singled to right field to score Amber Bryant, making it 2-1. Centenary answered again in the sixth, leveling the score at 2-2 on an RBI groundout. However, the Eagles capitalized on a key opportunity in the bottom of the inning, as Reynolds crossed the plate on a passed ball to give the Eagles the decisive 3-2 advantage. Reynolds led the offense, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a triple. Hulsey and Uher each added an RBI, while Grace Price and Kendall Lynch also contributed hits in the six-hit effort. Bailee Cowell was strong in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just four hits and two runs. She struck out three and induced 11 groundouts to keep Centenary off balance throughout the contest to complete a three-win weekend effort.
