Chelsea Evanoff tossed the ninth no-hitter in Arkansas Tech softball history to lead the Golden Suns to a 1-0 victory over Henderson State in game one of a doubleheader at Delores Brumfield White Field in Arkadelphia on Friday.
Evanoff (9-6) only faced one batter over the minimum and did not allow a base runner after the first inning. She struck out seven while winning her fourth consecutive decision.
In addition to her historic effort in the circle, Evanoff drove in the game’s only run with an RBI single in the top of the fourth.
Henderson State came back to win game two on Friday 4-3.
Amber Wilburn smashed a three-run home run for the Lady Reddies in the bottom of the third inning to give them a 3-1 lead.
Jessica Fields’ sacrifice bunt in the top of the fourth drove in Taylor Gates to cut Henderson State’s advantage to 3-2, but two Golden Suns errors in the bottom of the fourth allowed the Lady Reddies to rebuild their lead to 4-2.
Roxie Palacios delivered an RBI double for Arkansas Tech in the top of the seventh and final inning. That was as close as the Suns could get, though. HSU reliever Britney Benedict was able to get a game-ending strike out to strand the tying run at second base.
Melissa Decker (4-3) was the winning pitcher in the nightcap. Benedict got her first save of the season.
The Golden Suns (18-14 overall, 8-6 Gulf South Conference) and the Lady Reddies (15-14, 5-5) will play the final two games of their GSC series beginning at noon Saturday in Arkadelphia.
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