Salina, KS —
The Oklahoma Wesleyan University softball team got off to a dominant start in the KCAC Tournament, rolling to a 15-3 win over Tabor at Kansas Wesleyan.
OKWU wasted no time at the plate, putting up four runs in the first inning. Brooklyn Purtell got things started with an RBI single, Maddie Ogle added another on a groundout, and Lailah Hernandez drove in two with a single to give the Lady Eagles an early 4-0 lead.
The offense kept going in the second, as the Lady Eagles broke the game open with a seven-run inning. Kami Withem launched a home run to start the frame, Maria Fory added an RBI double, and OKWU continued to string together hits, including RBI singles from Gracie Jones and Bailey Gustus. Aubrie Matthews also delivered a two-RBI hit as the Lady Eagles extended the lead to 11-0.
After a scoreless third, OKWU added four more in the fourth, highlighted by a grand slam from Raegan Rector that pushed the lead to 15-0.
Tabor was able to get on the board with three runs in the fifth, but the early damage from Oklahoma Wesleyan proved to be too much to overcome.
At the plate, the Lady Eagles finished with 14 hits, led by Raegan Rector, who went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, and Kami Withem, who added two hits and two RBIs. Maria Fory also had a strong day with two hits, including a double, while multiple players contributed RBIs in the balanced offensive effort.
In the circle, Gabby Simpson earned the win, going 4.2 innings and allowing three runs while striking out three. Abigail Rogers came in to record the final out and close things out for OKWU.
The Lady Eagles will continue KCAC Tournament play Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. against No. 3 seed Ottawa.
