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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
JoBi Heath
JoBi Heath
3
Washburn WU 24-22, 15-7 MIAA
4
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 38-4, 20-2 MIAA
Washburn WU
24-22, 15-7 MIAA
3
Final
4
Central Oklahoma UCO
38-4, 20-2 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Washburn WU 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 3 8 1
Central Oklahoma UCO 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 4 5 1

W: Gibson, Lauren (3-0) L: Hamm,Raegen (12-12)

Game Recap: Softball |

Heath Gives UCO Win With Dramatic Homer

EDMOND (April 20) – JoBi Heath has had plenty of big hits during her illustrious four-year career at Central Oklahoma, but perhaps none larger than the one the senior star delivered in the clutch Saturday afternoon against Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association rival Washburn.

Heath drilled a two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to hand the No. 2-ranked Bronchos a dramatic 4-3 victory in the second game of the doubleheader.  It was a stunning conclusion to a game where UCO's normally high-powered offense was stymied throughout, finishing with just five hits.

"I don't know what else you can say about JoBi," head coach Cody White said.  "She's a warrior.  She's came through for us throughout her career so it shouldn't be surprising that she did it again, but it was a big-time hit in a big-time situation.

"Our offense struggled all day and we're fortunate to get out of here with a split, but we'll take this win and celebrate it."

The Bronchos managed just six hits in a 5-1 setback in the opener for their first home loss of the season after 20 consecutive wins and the Ichabods were in line to complete a doubleheader sweep after taking a 3-2 lead into the seventh in UCO's final regular season home game.

Bailey Thompson started UCO's winning comeback with a bloop double down the left field line and she moved to third on Halley Randolph's sacrifice bunt to set the stage for Heath.

Heath took two balls before getting the pitch she wanted and her rocket shot to left field stayed just high enough to clear the fence and set off a jubilant celebration at home plate.  It was Heath's 11th homer of the season and 39th of her storied career.

Central moved to 38-4 on the season and 20-2 in the conference with the win, while dropping the defending league champion Ichabods to 24-22 and 15-7.

Lauren Gibson earned the pitching win after coming on in relief in the seventh and putting Washburn down in order.

The Ichabods took a 1-0 lead in the second and it stayed that way until UCO finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth.

Lexy Dobson was hit by pitch to start that inning and moved to second on Allie Eicher's sacrifice bunt before Casady Webb drew a walk.  The inning nearly ended on a double play when WU's second baseman snared Brighton Gilbert's hard-hit liner, but Dobson got back to second with a headlong dive in barely beating the force-out.

That play turned out big for the Bronchos when Hazel Puempel promptly drove in both runs with a bloop hit that bounced past the left fielder for a triple to give UCO a 2-1 lead.

The Ichabods tied it in the fifth and then went in front 3-2 in the sixth with an unearned run.  It appeared like it would end that way, but Heath had other ideas.

The Bronchos wrap up the regular season next weekend with back-to-back doubleheaders at Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State.  UCO needs one win to clinch at least a share of the MIAA title and two to claim the crown outright.
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