From OCU Sports Info.
Rich Tortorelli, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Jaci Smith hammered a three-run home run to power top-ranked Oklahoma City University’s 7-1 rout of Williams Baptist (Ark.) on Tuesday at the Elizabeth & Irving Jensen Softball Complex in the NAIA Softball World Series.
The Stars pounded 14 hits to reach double digits in hits for the 44th time this season. Oklahoma City (63-3) stayed alive to play 4 p.m. Wednesday.
In the fourth inning, Smith belted a three-run blast beyond the scoreboard in right-center field. Smith’s ninth homer of the year touched off a five-run inning where OCU built a 7-0 advantage.
Madison Ellis ripped a two-out run-scoring double off the fence in right below the scoreboard. Ellis scored as Laci Joyner nailed an RBI base hit to center field for the Stars.
In the second, Kali Pugh socked a two-out single to left with the bases full to bring home OCU’s first run of the game. The Stars added a third-inning run when Kayley Humannreached home plate on a passed ball. Humann ran for Leslie Miller, who drew a one-out walk.
Georgia Wall (24-1) limited Williams Baptist to a run on two hits and three walks. Wall, a freshman from Marlow, Okla., struck out three in her 17th complete-game performance of the year. Wall carried a shutout until Ashley Lyons’ two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.
Stephanie Koishor, a junior from Valley Center, Calif., turned in a 3-for-3 day and scored a run, while Ellis, a junior from Yukon, Okla., went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI for the Stars.
Smith, a freshman from Godley, Texas, was 2-for-4 with a run scored, stolen base and three RBIs, and Pugh, a junior from Vista, Calif., went 2-for-4, scored a run and drove in a run. Joyner, a sophomore from Mustang, Okla., was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
The Stars responded after being shut out for the first time in 80 games Monday.