Broncho Softball Rolls Past Washburn, Splits with Central Missouri in MIAA Opening Weekend

The University of Central Oklahoma softball team opened Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) play this past weekend, sweeping Washburn on Friday before splitting with Central Missouri on Saturday.

The No. 17 Bronchos improved to 25-6 overall and 3-1 in conference action.

UCO started the weekend with an 8-0 run-rule victory over the Ichabods on Friday.  

Shelby Beard allowed just two hits and one walk, improving to 12-3 on the season.

At the plate, Haley Gallo delivered a two-RBI double in the third inning, while Rylee Anglen added a two-RBI triple in the fourth. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Anglen drew a bases-loaded walk to seal the run-rule.

The Bronchos followed with a 4-0 win in game two to complete the sweep. 

Freshman Carleigh Kinnaird allowed three hits with two strikeouts in a complete-game shutout.

Gallo opened the scoring with a three-run home run in the first inning, and Rylee Lemos drove Mason home in the fourth to achieve the 4-0 score.

On Saturday, the Bronchos dropped game one to Central Missouri 6-5 after surrendering a three-run home run in the seventh inning.

Beard allowed three runs and one walk in the first four innings. 

Freshman Madison Hamilton gave up three runs with two strikeouts in relief.

Gallo and Kennedy Clark powered the offense, with Clark hitting a two-run home run and Gallo adding two RBIs. 

Anglen led the Bronchos with three hits out of UCO’s seven.

UCO responded with a  9-0 run-rule win in the series finale. 

Kinnaird struck out five and only allowed one hit to improve to 12-1.

The Bronchos had a 4-0 lead heading into the fourth that they would never relinquish. 

Gallo and Clark drove in two runs each, and Ryan added an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning to secure the split.

Ryan, Gallo, and Mason led the offense with two hits each out of Central’s nine. 

Jenna Jobe led the defense with five outs. Lemos and Clark added two apiece as well.

The UCO Softball team continues conference play this Friday with a doubleheader at Rogers State.