Arkansas Tech University won one and lost one during day one of the season-opening Southeastern Regional Invitational softball classic in Durant, Okla., on Friday.
The Golden Suns (1-1) will face the University of Central Missouri at 9:30 a.m. and Oklahoma Christian University at 2:30 p.m. in continuing play at Durant on Saturday, Feb. 3. Live coverage will be available at www.arkansastechsports.com.
Game One: Tarleton State 2, Arkansas Tech 1
Karli Herron’s solo home run in the bottom of the bottom of the sixth inning made the difference in a 2-1 Tarleton State University victory over Arkansas Tech on Friday.
TexAnn starting pitcher Haley Freyman (1-0) retired the Golden Suns in order in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
Freyman allowed one unearned run on three hits over seven innings. She induced 17 ground outs.
Tech starting pitcher Cara Tolar (0-1) scattered 10 hits over five and one-third innings. She was charged with two runs while striking out four.
Paty Loredo drove in the Golden Suns’ run on a single in the top of the sixth that brought Ashton Sangster home.
Game Two: Arkansas Tech 6, Cameron 4
Sarah Coronado and Makenzie Addis drove in two runs apiece to lead Arkansas Tech to a 6-4 win over Cameron University on Friday.
Addis staked the Golden Suns to an early lead with a two-run single in the top of the third inning. Paige Mendoza followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0 Tech.
Cameron scored twice in the last of the third to pull within 3-2. Coronado pushed the Tech lead to a more comfortable 5-2 with a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning.
Cameron’s Raley Long delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth to pull the Aggies within 5-4, but the Golden Suns’ bullpen put the brakes on any thoughts of a comeback.
Tech’s Bailey Shaffer struck out Abby Warren to end the sixth inning and strand the tying run at second base. After Hayley Womack gave the Suns an insurance run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh, Tolar slammed the door by retiring Cameron without incident in its final turn at bat.
Kristen Dempsey (1-0) started in the circle for Tech and allowed two runs on three hits over five innings. Tolar struck out two while earning her first save of the season.
Cameron starter Bethany Hines (0-1) went four innings and was charged with five runs on eight hits.
