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By RAMA PEROO
Cowley College

Playing a pair of one-run games at Rose State College on Tuesday, the No. 8-ranked Cowley College softball team opened its season with a split of a doubleheader.

"This is definitely the best team Rose State has had since I have been here," Cowley coach Ed Hargrove said. "Still, I was disappointed we split."

Trailing 2-1 with a runner at first and two outs in the top of the seventh inning of game one, freshman Breayle Tackett made her first hit in a Tiger uniform a memorable one as she delivered a two-run homer to put Cowley on top 3-2.

"That was quite a clutch hit from Breayle," Hargrove said.

Heather Davis retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the 3-2 win. Davis allowed four hits and three walks in seven innings, she also struck out seven in improving to 1-0 on the season.

The three walks were uncharacteristic for Davis as she walked only eight batters in 193 2/3 innings as a freshman. However, she did not walk a batter after the second inning and allowed just one earned run.

"Heather really gutted it out," Hargrove said.

Freshman Kashilia Young from Arkansas City had two of Cowley's six hits in the win.

In game two, there would be four lead changes and two ties before Cowley would eventually lose 8-7 in 10 innings of play.

Cowley trailed 2-0 after one inning of play and 2-1 after four innings. The Lady Tigers grabbed their first lead of the game in the top of the fifth inning as Danielle Saylor-Perkins and Jacey Juden delivered run scoring singles.

However, Rose State answered with a pair of runs off Juden in the bottom of the fifth to go back on top 4-3. Cowley looked as if they might win another game in its final at bat as they got a two-run double from Juden to lead 5-4.

Once again, Rose State answered by scoring a run in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 5-5. Each team would score two runs in the eighth and failed to score in the ninth.

After Cowley was held scoreless in the 10th, the Lady Mavericks won the game as a fielding error by the Lady Tigers allowed the winning run to score.

Earlier in the game, Cowley had runners in scoring position with one or no outs in four straight innings and was unable to score.

"In my mind that's the ball game," Hargrove said. "If we score any of those runs we win the game in seven innings."

Juden (0-1), who took the loss on the mound for Cowley, went 3-for-5 with three RBI's at the plate. She allowed 11 hits and five earned runs in nine innings pitched. She also struck out six and walked five.

Cowley will now prepare to play in the Cowtown Classic Friday and Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. Cowley will open by playing three teams from Texas on Friday, with the first game against Hill College starting at 10 a.m.

Score by inning:
Game one R H E
Cowley 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 -- 3 6 1
Rose State 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 -- 2 4 1
Game two R H E
Cowley 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 -- 7 14 3
Rose State 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 1 -- 8 11 1