SHAWNEE, Okla. –
Kacie Schmidt tossed 10-plus innings of shutout softball, helping Oregon Tech close out competition at the NAIASB Invitational with two victories over Top-25 opponents at FireLake Fields.
The No. 5-ranked Lady Owls (7-1) outlasted No. 24-ranked Baker (Kan.), 4-3, in 10 innings in today's opener, before Schmidt dominated No. 2-ranked Science & Arts (Okla.), 4-0. OIT finished the weekend against six teams in the preseason NAIA poll with a 5-1 mark.
In Game 1, Tech trailed 3-2, but rallied in the seventh inning to force extras – as
Hayden Rockwell tripled with one out and pinch-runner
Gina Allen scored on a
Nita Cook 2-out bunt single. Schmidt stranded the winning run in scoring position in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth innings – with the Owls breaking through in the tenth – as
Marla Goodspeed scored from third base on a
Malia Mick fielders' choice to provide the winning run.
OIT led 2-0 in the third, scoring a run on a throwing error and adding a second on an
Addison Kachnik sacrifice fly. The Wildcats (4-7) took the lead in the fifth – scoring a run on a throwing error during a double-steal attempt, adding RBI singles from Reece Curry and Sydney Erlandson.
Five different Lady Owls had one hit apiece in the win.
Jenna Gorden allowed two earned runs on five hits over four-plus innings and
Alli Parker allowed a run in two innings of work. Schmidt went the final three and two-thirds, striking out six without allowing a run.
All-America lefty Kira Baker went the distance for BU, allowing five hits and striking out four.
Against USAO, Schmidt was dominant, holding the third-place team from last season's NAIA World Series, to three hits – with just two runners reaching third base.
Tech got all the run support they needed in the second, as RBI singles from
Jazmine Macias and Cook gave the Owls a 2-0 lead, with a third run scoring on a wild pitch. An inning later, doubles by
Puakea Milbourne and Allen extended the margin to 4-0.
Milbourne, Cook and Allen each posted two hits in the win.
OIT returns home this weekend, set to open Cascade Conference play with doubleheaders Friday and Saturday at Stilwell Stadium vs. Eastern Oregon.
