Sixth-Ranked Suns Sweep Defending Champs

Arkansas Tech University swept a four-game softball series from defending Great American Conference champion Henderson State University at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex in Russellville on Friday and Saturday.

The nationally sixth-ranked Golden Suns (16-1 overall, 8-0 GAC) will travel to Bethany, Okla., for a four-game GAC series against Southern Nazarene University on Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5.

Game One: Arkansas Tech 8, HSU 1

Jalissa Gum recorded 16 strikeouts in a complete-game pitching performance to lead Arkansas Tech to an 8-1 win over Henderson State in the series opener on Friday.

Gum (4-0) allowed one run on two hits over seven innings. She hit one batter and did not issue any walks.

Seven Golden Suns had at least one base hit. Alex Edinger went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Gum and Destiny Crumpley added two hits apiece, while Sarah Coronado drove in two runs and Ashley Savage hit a solo home run.

Henderson State starting pitcher Michelle Sorensen (6-3) allowed eight runs, five of which were earned, on 10 hits over six innings. Ashlyn White registered the Reddies’ lone run with a home run in the fourth inning.

Game Two: Arkansas Tech 7, HSU 4

Arkansas Tech scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and went on to a 7-4 victory over Henderson State in Friday’s second game.

Gum delivered a two-run double, Coronado had an RBI single and Kambri Hill clubbed a two-run home run to stake the Golden Suns to their early lead.

Tech starting pitcher Morgan Vaughan (6-0) allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on five hits in four and one-third innings.

Kelsie Barker provided the Golden Suns with two and two-thirds innings of perfect relief — retiring all eight batters she faced — to earn her first save of the season. Barker struck out four.

HSU starter Madison Calvert (3-3) was charged with five runs on six hits in one-plus inning.

Game Three: Arkansas Tech 5, HSU 0

Sydnee Clark and Gum combined on a three-hit shutout and Arkansas Tech defeated Henderson State 5-0 in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Clark (3-1) started in the circle struck out three Reddies over five scoreless innings. She surrendered two hits. Gum allowed one hit in two innings while striking out five.

Megan Goodnight, Chloe Clifton, Janie Knowles and Coronado drove in one run apiece for the Golden Suns.

HSU starting pitcher Sorensen (6-4) was charged with four runs, two of which were earned, over four and two-thirds innings. She issued five walks.

Game Four: Arkansas Tech 12, HSU 4

Arkansas Tech completed the series sweep in dominating fashion with a mercy-rule shortened 12-4 victory over Henderson State on Saturday afternoon.

Savage drove in four runs and Goodnight and Coronado had three RBIs apiece for the Golden Suns.

Barker (2-0) pitched the first three innings and Vaughan worked the final three innings in the circle for Arkansas Tech. They both allowed two runs. Only one of the runs charged to Barker was earned. Both of the runs surrendered by Vaughan were unearned.

Calvert (3-4) received the loss. She allowed eight runs, seven of which were earned, on eight hits in four and one-third innings.