Alpine, Texas-The Lady Eagles softball team exploded for nine runs in the final inning to take two of three games against Sul Ross State University over the weekend in American Southwest Conference play.
After splitting Friday, Ozarks (4-7, 4-7 ASC) won game three 12-10 on late inning heroics from a number of different players.
"I'm very proud of our young team," said head coach Laurie Adkins. "They continue to grow with each outing. They have a great team attitude. This was a team effort today, exercising discipline at the plate to maximize opportunities and clinch a hard-fought win."
Trailing 7-3 after six complete innings, the Lady Eagles' bats took control of the contest with nine hits in the top of the seventh. Carlee Shelton drove in the first run of the inning to begin the comeback. Bethany Mason followed with a two-run double to cut the deficit to 7-6. Brooke Hoffsommer then hit a three-run homer to put Ozarks in front 9-7. Laken Gray would eventually double in a pair of runs and Mason again produced an RBI to make it 12-7. Sul Ross State (1-12, 1-10 ASC) mounted a rally of its own in the bottom of the seventh, but Hailie Gilbert struck out the final batter to end the threat.
Krysten Shavers and Gray each had RBI in the third inning to pull Ozarks within 5-2. In all, the Lady Eagles pounded out 18 hits. Shavers went 4-for-5 with 3 RBI. Mason and Gray finished 3-for-4 with 3 RBI. Gilbert (4-3) received the win after pitching the final six innings.
"Brooke got on base all five at bats," said Adkins. "She is really coming into her own on the field. She is showing discipline at the plate and has been anchoring the team from the lead-off position. Bethany did great work with two singles and a timely double to bring in three runs. Carley Hurt had a timely hit, starting the seventh inning rally that catapulted us ahead. Laken had three hits, and Krysten finished with four. Laken does a great job on the field from the catcher's spot. She is an outstanding on field leader."
Ozarks will travel to Conway to face Hendrix College March 11 in a double-header.
