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Softball coach Phil McSpadden collects the milestone victory in the Stars’ 13-1, 8-0 sweep of Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on April 10 at Ann Lacy Stadium.
McSpadden reached win No. 1,458. He has the most wins against four-year schools of any college softball coach.
The OCU coach owns a 1,458-356 record in his 28th year. OCU has won eight national titles in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2007, while finishing national runner-up in 1993, 1999, 2010 and 2012 under McSpadden.
Before a healthy gathering of OCU softball alumni who contributed to many of those wins over the years, the Stars, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, improved to 35-1, 12-0 in the Sooner Athletic Conference this season.
“I could just go through a whole list of tremendous ball players that have helped us win ballgames, and in many cases, tremendous people who have supported us behind the scenes,” McSpadden said.
On the night, Oklahoma City pounded four home runs among 18 hits, nine of which went for extra bases. In the record win, Senior Pitcher Maria Gomez and Freshman Pitcher Abby Meador combined on a five-inning perfect game.
“We had an exciting turnout of alumni to support Coach in getting his 1,458 wins,” said Senior Catcher Kylee Rounsaville, who nailed her 15th homer of the year in the first game.
Rounsaville kicked off the Stars’ scoring on the night by driving in Senior Outfielder Cheyanne Terry with a two-out base hit to left field in the first inning of the first game. Senior Pitcher and Outfielder Jamie Rateliff followed by blasting a two-run homer past the left-field wall.
Rounsaville struck for a three-run blast to left for a 9-0 second-inning OCU lead. Sophomore Infielder Madison Ellis also hammered a two-run shot over the left-field wall.
Ellis smacked a solo blast to left in the third. Rounsaville added a two-run double, then Junior Outfielder Shelbi Legg had a run-scoring double to the left-center gap.
Rounsaville went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and six RBIs, while Ellis was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Senior Pitcher Maci-Brooke Lambert picked up the victory, moving to 9-0 on the year. Lambert allowed one run on three hits and a walk in three innings. Abby Meador set SAGU down in order in the final two innings while notching four strikeouts.
In the nightcap, Gomez fanned eight in four innings. Gomez (13-0) struck out the side in her last two innings. Meador retired the visitors in order in the fifth. Senior Infielder Jocelin Diaz made a diving catch of Katelyn Veteto’s fly ball in center field for the final out.
Diaz went 2-for-3 with a run scored and three runs driven in, and Junior Infielder Kyndra Holasek was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIs.
Diaz’ two-run homer to left put OCU ahead 7-0 after two innings.
The Stars will look to pad McSpadden’s win total against Texas Wesleyan in a 1 p.m. doubleheader April 11 at Ann Lacy Stadium.
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