DURANT, Okla. (Feb. 3, 2017) – Sisters Lacey Davidson and Niki Davidson had never before homered in the same game – in college or in high school – but they took care of that Friday on a quite successful opening day for Oklahoma Christian softball.
Each Davidson sister hit a two-run homer as the Lady Eagles run-ruled Emporia State (Kan.) 9-1, then Lacey Davidson added three more RBIs in a 5-3 win over Midwestern State (Texas) on the first day of the Southeastern Regional Invitational at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex.
"We're preaching to them to take care of the process," OC coach Tom Heath said. "Don't worry about the outcome – just keep working on what's at hand and the outcome will take care of itself. It certainly did today."
OC (2-0) also received solid pitching performances from Madison Nordyke and Madison Hagood, who each turned in a complete-game outing in chilly conditions, with temperatures in the low 50s and a stiff north breeze blowing.
"We got outstanding pitching," Heath said. "Being our first doubleheader, first time out and a chilly day, Maddy Nordyke got us off to a real good start … and Madison (Hagood) came in and took care of business. We're real proud of our pitching staff."
Nordyke (1-0) constantly wriggled out of jams against Emporia State, giving up eight hits but surrendering only one run. She was aided by strong defense, as senior catcher Niki Davidson threw out two baserunners trying to steal and left fielder Haley Squier threw out a Hornet baserunner who attempted to stretch a single into a double.
Sophomore Lacey Davidson's first collegiate home run was a line shot over the left-centerfield wall off Emporia State starter Holly Hinkel (0-1) and put OC ahead 2-1.
The Lady Eagles blew the game open with a seven-run fifth inning. Kaylie Upton and Nordyke hit consecutive two-run doubles and Niki Davidson followed with her homer to make it 8-1. Two batters later, Bridget White hit a solo homer to put OC ahead by eight runs, invoking the run rule.
"Lacey did great, both offensively and defensively (at shortstop)," Heath said. "We needed that bat in the order to score some runs today. She came through in the clutch. We had several people – I guess we had two or three home runs in the first game – and we hit the ball well, but Lacey stood out."
Midwestern State (0-2) led 1-0 before Lacey Davidson's two-run single scored Niki Davidson and White in the top of the fourth inning. Carli Woolsey hit a solo home run for the Mustangs in the bottom of the fourth, but Lacey Davidson's RBI groundout in the sixth broke the tie.
Kayla Eichler and Caitlin Young followed with singles off Peyton Helton (0-1) ahead of a two-run triple down the left-field line by Sheridan Bond that made it 5-3.
Taylor Brintzenhoff's solo home run in the bottom of the sixth pulled the Mustangs within 5-3 but Hagood (1-0) retired five straight batters to end the game and cap off a six-hitter for the sophomore left-hander.
OC will play two Missouri teams on Saturday, facing Rockhurst at 9:30 a.m. before a noon game against Central Missouri.
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