Nationally eighth-ranked Arkansas Tech University closed out its 2016 softball regular season by splitting a Great American Conference doubleheader with Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday.
The Golden Suns bounced back from a 3-2 loss in game one to defeat the Lady Rangers 5-1 in the nightcap at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex in Russellville.
Arkansas Tech will enter the postseason with an overall record of 44-7. The Suns, who have established a new school record for softball victories in a season, won the 2016 GAC regular season championship with a league mark of 34-6.
The GAC Tournament will begin on Thursday, April 28, in Bentonville. Arkansas Tech will face Southern Nazarene University in an opening-round game at 2 p.m.
Game One: NWOSU 3, Tech 2
Madison McGraw’s run-scoring single in the top of the sixth inning propelled Northwestern Oklahoma State to a 3-2 victory over Arkansas Tech in game one on Saturday.
Jordan Haya scored on the play, breaking a 2-2 tie.
NWOSU starting pitcher Karly Murray (4-10) only allowed one hit over the final two innings to preserve the Lady Rangers’ lead.
Murray struck out eight and threw 141 pitches in a complete-game performance.
Arkansas Tech relief pitcher Kelsie Barker (7-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing one unearned run on three hits in two innings.
Alex Edinger went 2-for-3 for the Golden Suns.
Game Two: Tech 5, NWOSU 1
Destiny Crumpley clubbed a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone in a 5-1 Arkansas Tech victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon.
Ashley Anderson and Samantha Herweck added one run batted in apiece for the Golden Suns.
Arkansas Tech starting pitcher Sydnee Clark (4-3) limited the Lady Rangers to one unearned run on five hits over seven innings.
Madison Garza (5-19) was the losing pitcher. She surrendered five runs, three of which were earned, on 10 hits in four innings.
