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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Shayla Harper
Shayla Harper
7
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 13-5
4
Sioux Falls USF 4-7
Winner
Central Oklahoma UCO
13-5
7
Final
4
Sioux Falls USF
4-7
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Central Oklahoma UCO 0 1 0 0 3 0 3 7 7 1
Sioux Falls USF 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 4 8 2

W: McKittrick, Bailey (1-1) L: Cress, H. (3-4) S: Cox, Isie (1)

Game Recap: Softball |

Harper Homer Sparks Bronchos

EMPORIA, Kan. (March 20) – Shayla Harper smacked a three-run home run to put Central Oklahoma in front and the No. 23-ranked Bronchos went on to topple Sioux Falls 7-4 Saturday afternoon in the Hy-Vee Classic.
 
Harper's homer broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the fifth inning and UCO added three more runs in the seventh to make it 7-1 before the Cougars scored three unearned runs in their final at bat to arrange the final score.
 
It gave the Bronchos a split for the day after starting with a tough 10-8 extra-inning loss to No. 3 Augustana. UCO (13-5) returns Sunday to play the same two teams, taking on the Vikings at 10 a.m. and Sioux Falls at noon.
 
"I was happy with the way we were able to bounce back after losing a tough one to Augie," head coach Cody White said. "We didn't play particularly well, but Shayla had a big hit for us and we got a win we needed to have."
 
The Bronchos broke on top in the second when Lexy Dobson scored on an error after reaching on a two-out single, with USF answering that in the third to make it 1-1.
 
Taylor McKittrick and Halley Randolph started Central's go-ahead fifth inning with consecutive base hits to left field and Harper cleared the bases one out later with a drive over the left-center field wall. It was the third homer of the season for the sophomore slugger.
 
The Cougars had two runners on base in both the fifth and sixth innings, but UCO escaped trouble both times and then put the game away with three runs in the seventh.
 
T. McKittrick led off with a double and went to third on a passed ball before scoring on Randolph's sacrifice fly. A walk, fielder's choice and infield single by Harper loaded the bases, with an error pushing across one run and Hazel Puempel's sacrifice fly scoring another to make it 7-1.
 
USF tried to make things interesting, scoring three unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh as a two-out error extended the inning, but the Bronchos finally closed it out.
 
Bailey McKittrick picked up the pitching win after throwing two shutout innings in relief of starter Kylee Lynch. Isie Cox came in for the final two frames to earn her first career save.
 
Central finished with seven hits, getting two apiece from Harper and T. McKittrick.
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