Harper Homers Boost Bronchos Past ESU

EMPORIA, Kan. (April 18) – Shayla Harper slugged two home runs – including a grand slam – to spark Central Oklahoma to an 8-1 second-game drubbing of Emporia State Sunday afternoon.

The No. 16-ranked Bronchos took control early in rebounding from a 5-4 first-game loss to earn a split of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association doubleheader. UCO improved to 27-9 overall and 16-4 in the league while dropping the Hornets to 18-18 and 8-10.

Harper was the catalyst as the sophomore slugger belted a solo homer in the first inning and a grand slam in the second to help stake Central to a quick 6-0 lead.

"Shayla has been really hitting the ball well lately and she gave us a lift early," head coach Cody White said. "It was a good bounce-back win for us after a disappointing loss in the first game."

Harper's one-out solo shot to left-center field in the top of the first inning put UCO on top and the Bronchos pushed across five runs in the second.

Taylor McKittrick got things going with a lead-off infield single, Allie Eicher followed with a double to right field and Amelya Huggins' infield hit loaded the bases.

Brighton Gilbert reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in McKittrick being put out at home and kept the bases loaded. Tarin Dubler drove in a run with a single to right field, then Harper cleared the bases with another shot to left-center for her 14th homer of the season.

The Bronchos pushed their lead to 7-0 in the third when McKittrick led off with a double to left field, went to third on a groundout and scored on Huggins' sacrifice fly.

UCO made it 8-0 in the fifth. Lexy Dobson drilled a one-out double to left and took third on a wild pitch before trotting home on McKittrick's long fly out.

The Hornets scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fifth the run rule, but they didn't threaten again.

Kylee Lynch picked up the pitching win, giving up four hits and one run in five innings to improve to 12-3. Isie Cox closed out the game with two no-hit innings.

Harper and McKittrick had two hits each to lead UCO's nine-hit attack.

The Bronchos wrap up a 12-game road swing Wednesday with a 2 p.m. non-conference doubleheader at Southern Nazarene.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Lexy Dobson: OF; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#10 Allie Eicher: IF; 5' 7"; Junior; L/R

#5 Brighton Gilbert: IF; 5' 5"; Junior; L/R

#4 Tarin Dubler: IF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#22 Kylee Lynch: P; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R

#25 Amelya Huggins: IF/C; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#11 Shayla Harper: IF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#14 Isie Cox: P/UT; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/L

#23 Taylor McKittrick: IF; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#8 Lexy Dobson
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#10 Allie Eicher
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#5 Brighton Gilbert
: 5' 5"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#4 Tarin Dubler
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#22 Kylee Lynch
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R
: P

#25 Amelya Huggins
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF/C

#11 Shayla Harper
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#14 Isie Cox
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/L
: P/UT

#23 Taylor McKittrick
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: IF