Clarksville, Ark.-The nationally-ranked University of Texas-Tyler softball team took a 7-0 win over the Lady Eagles in the series opener at Hurie Field on Thursday. 
    
The Lady Eagles (3-32, 2-26 ASC) and No. 3 Patriots (33-2, 27-1 ASC) remained scoreless through the first three innings of play, but a single shot over the left field wall by Jackie Mendez put the visitors up for good in the fourth inning.
    
Ozarks attempted to counter in the bottom of the inning as Bailey Hames reached on a single to centerfield but a double play by the Patriots would end the fourth and keep any runs from coming home for the Lady Eagles.
    
A fifth inning error allowed the Patriots to tag on another run and move ahead 2-0 as the visitors took control of the game. Another UT-Tyler home run, this time by KK Stevens, along with an RBI double by Shelby Shelton added the final runs of the game. 
    
Krysten Shavers would get on base in the bottom of the seventh for Ozarks with a single to center but the Lady Eagles were again unable to capitalize and score. 
    
Hames went 2-for-3 on the day while Shavers and McDonald each finished with a hit. 
    
Starting pitcher Haley McKee (3-15) took the loss for Ozarks. Kelsie Batten (20-2) received the win for the Patriots. 
    
The Lady Eagles and Texas-Tyler will continue their series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon. Senior Day festivities are scheduled to take place at 11:30 at Hurie Field. Molly Bowman, Arel Ferguson and Tabitha Porter McClane will be honored as part of "Senior Day".

By Emily Black, Student Assistant for Sports Information and Director of Social Media