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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Bailey McKittrick
Bailey McKittrick
7
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 15-1
5
Oklahoma Christian OC 14-4
Winner
Central Oklahoma UCO
15-1
7
Final
5
Oklahoma Christian OC
14-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
Central Oklahoma UCO 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 2 7 13 0
Oklahoma Christian OC 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 5 10 0

W: McKittrick, Bailey (6-0) L: Kali Crandall (5-2)

Game Recap: Softball |

McKittrick, Heath Lead Bronchos Past OC

OKLAHOMA  CITY (March 1) – Bailey McKittrick had a masterful performance in the pitching circle and JoBi Heath came through with another clutch extra-inning hit to catapult Central Oklahoma to a thrilling 2-1 second-game triumph over Oklahoma Christian Friday at Tom – or is it JoBi? -- Heath Field.

McKittrick threw 152 pitches in going the full 10 innings, not giving up her first hit until the seventh and finishing with a three-hitter.  The freshman right-hander struck out 11 and walked six in moving to 7-0 on the season with her second win of the day.

Heath once again provided the dramatic hit, drilling a two-run double in the top of the 10th inning to break a scoreless deadlock.  The senior standout lifted the No. 15-ranked Bronchos to a 7-5 victory in the first game of the doubleheader with an eighth-inning two-run home run.

It was the 12th straight win for UCO, which improved to 16-1 on the season.

"Those were two intense, hard-fought games and we were fortunate to come out on top both times," head coach Cody White said.  "Our girls just battle.  They compete every inning and refuse to give up.

"JoBi didn't have a great day at the plate overall, but she came through with two big-time hits when we really needed them.  She's just a clutch hitter.  And Bailey was incredible.  OC has a really good offense, but she just shut them down."

McKittrick got some key defensive help throughout the game, particularly in the seventh inning when left fielder Lexy Dobson made a diving catch on a sinking line drive that probably would have gone for extra bases.

OC's first real scoring threat came in the ninth on a two-out double, but McKittrick got a strikeout and groundout to get out of the inning and set the stage for Heath.

Hazel Puempel started the 10th with a one-out single through the right side and stole second before Bailey Thompson walked.  Heath then roped a 2-1 pitch to the right-center field gap for her 10th double of the season, which easily scored Puempel and Thompson to give UCO a 2-0 lead.

An error enabled the Lady Eagles to put the lead-off runner on in the bottom of the 10th, but Heath made a fantastic play on a bunt to barely throw out a speedy OC runner to get the first out.  McKittrick got a fly out and then gave up an RBI single before ending the game with her 11th strikeout.

The Bronchos finished with just five hits, two of those by Puempel.

Central doesn't play again until hosting Northwest Missouri for a doubleheader next Saturday to open Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play.
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