Clarksville, Ark.-An offensive explosion and a solid pitching performance helped Ozarks to a 13-3 game two American Southwest Conference win over Howard Payne University Friday in the Eagles' season-opening weekend.
Ozarks (1-1, 1-1 ASC) would drop game one 8-2. The Eagles will finish its series against the Yellow Jackets (4-3, 1-1 ASC) in a single game starting at 11:00 a.m. Saturday.
In game two, Hannah Oler produced six RBI, tying a school record, behind a three-run home run early in the game. In the circle, sophomore Abby Mork (1-0) provided an efficient outing in her first start of the season. Mork had a shutout going for four and two-third innings before Howard Payne scored with two outs. Mork did not issue a walk or allow an earned run in her five innings in the circle. Meanwhile, the Eagles' offense produced plenty of run support in the second inning scoring seven runs on six hits. Already owning a 3-0 lead, Brooke Hoffsommer had an RBI single, and the Eagles would score twice more on an infield error to make it 6-0. With one out, Oler and Haleigh Moore had back-to-back RBI singles and Peyton Winkfein ripped a two-run single to right field to add to the lead. Oler then remained hot at the plate ripping another two-run single to increase Ozarks' advantage to 12-0 in the third. Mork did the rest by retiring two straight batters in the fifth. Howard Payne would score on a double and an error, but Mork induced a ground ball to end the contest.
Oler went 3-for-3 with two runs to go along with her six RBI. Moore also went 3-for-3 at the plate. Winkfein finished 2-for-2 with two RBI.
In game one, Ozarks trailed early, but evened the game 2-2 in the second behind a two-run single from Beth Massey. However, the Yellow Jackets answered with two runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings to secure the game.
Oler (0-1) labored seven innings to receive the loss. The Eagles produced five hits.
