Abilene, Texas - The University of the Ozarks softball team won its third straight game on Sunday to move into the championship finals after a thrilling 6-4 extra inning win against Concordia University Texas on Sunday.
The Eagles were picked to finish ninth in the 2026 SCAC preseason poll and entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed, but have took the tournament by storm under head coach David Kuhn. The Eagles will take on Texas Lutheran University Monday at 1:00 p.m. The Eagles will need to defeat unbeaten Texas Lutheran twice on Monday to win the title.
With the game tied 3-3 entering the eighth, Ozarks delivered the decisive blows. Isabella Hulsey came through with a two-RBI single to center, scoring Emma Reynolds and Madison Sadler to give the Eagles a 5-3 advantage. Moments later, Lori-Ann Hughes added insurance with an RBI double to extend the lead to 6-3.
Concordia responded in the bottom half with an RBI single from Karlee Mathis, but Bailee Cowell closed the door to secure the win.
The Eagles struck first in the fourth inning when Kendall Lynch singled home Emma Reynolds. The Eagles added another run in the fifth on a fielder's choice RBI by Cowell to make it 2-0.
Concordia answered in the bottom of the fifth to even the score at 2-2.
The Eagles regained the lead in the seventh when Hughes blasted a solo home run, but Concordia quickly tied it again with an RBI single from Katie Bethke, setting the stage for extra innings.
Hughes led the the Eagles offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, double, and two RBIs. Hulsey also drove in two runs, while Reynolds scored twice and recorded two hits.
In the circle, Cowell (19-9) now owns the SCAC Tournament record with 35.0 innings pitched. Cowell again tossed a complete game. She allowed four runs on nine hits while striking out three over eight innings.
The Eagles totaled nine hits in the win, matching Concordia's nine, but capitalized on key opportunities late to secure the victory.
