UCO Batters Central Missouri

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (April 10) – No. 10-ranked Central Oklahoma scored in bunches to claim a doubleheader sweep of Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association rival Central Missouri Sunday afternoon.

The Bronchos tallied in just four innings on the day, but that was more than enough. UCO took the opener 6-0 behind a five-run outburst in the sixth, then had five- and seven-run eruptions in a 12-2 second-game trouncing.

"We've shown all year that we can have those big innings and did it again today," said head coach Cody White said, whose team improved to 34-6 overall and 13-1 in the league. "Our hitters kind of feed off each other when we get going and they did a great job. This is a tough place to play, so getting a sweep was a big deal for us."

Kylee Lynch keyed the first-game win, capping a magnificent weekend in the circle with her second straight shutout.

The sophomore southpaw gave up four hits – singles in each of the first four innings – while striking out three and getting 14 groundouts in an efficient 78-pitch outing. Lynch retired 11 batters in a row to close the game in notching her fifth shutout of the season and improving to 17-1.

Lynch allowed six hits and no walks with 13 strikeouts in 13 innings for the weekend. She threw a two-hitter in a 9-0 six-inning run-rule victory over Lincoln Saturday.

The Bronchos didn't get their first hit of the game until the fourth when Jacee Minter's lead-off home run to left field gave Lynch all the support she would need.

That remained UCO's only hit until the sixth when a five-hit, five-run barrage broke the game open.

Amelya Huggins jump-started the inning with a lead-off double down the left field line and Korbyn Skipworth followed with a triple to center field. Lexy Dobson's RBI single made it 3-0, then Shayleigh Odom made it four straight hits with a two-run homer to right field.

Mikayla Rutland was hit by pitch to keep the inning going and she moved to third on Shayla Harper's double before making it 6-0 on Tarin Dubler's RBI groundout.

The Bronchos finished with six hits, getting one each from six different players. Five of those went for extra bases – two homers, two doubles and a triple.

UCO broke loose for seven runs in the third inning of the nightcap to grab control.

Mikayla Rutland had the big hit with a three-run homer, while Skipworth had a two-RBI single and Dobson a two-run double.

The Mules scored their only two runs of the day in the bottom of the third and it stayed 7-2 until the fifth when the Bronchos unleashed a five-run volley.

Skipworth drew a lead-off walk and Dobson followed with her third homer of the season. Dubler plated two runs with a single and Brighton Gilbert added an RBI single in the frame as the lead ballooned to 12-2.

Dubler went 3-for-4 to pace an 11-hit attack. Dobson, Gilbert and Harper had two hits apiece, with Dobson finishing with four RBIs.

Bailey McKittrick earned the pitching win with a stellar 2 2/3-inning relief outing. She gave up just one hit and no runs in that span, improving to 2-0.

UCO returns to action this weekend with its final four home games of the regular season, hosting Northeastern State Friday and No. 3 Rogers State Saturday on Senior Day.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#27 Bailey McKittrick: P; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/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"; Junior; R/R

#12 Jacee Minter: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#6 Shayleigh Odom: OF; 5' 1"; Sophomore; L/R

#3 Mikayla Rutland: UT; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

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

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

#27 Bailey McKittrick
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#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"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#12 Jacee Minter
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#6 Shayleigh Odom
: 5' 1"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#3 Mikayla Rutland
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: UT