Near perfect weather was in the forecast for Henderson State's Great American Conference doubleheader against Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday afternoon at Dee White Field, and HSU's Melissa Decker pitched nearly as perfect as the weather by tossing a complete-game, six-hit shutout to give HSU a 1-0 game one win. SWOSU staved off the twin bill sweep by edging HSU in 10 innings by a score of 4-3 in game two.

The lone run of the first game came in the bottom of the second inning on a RBI single by senior second baseman Ashley Ray. That inning was started as Brittnie Dean reached first base on a throwing error by SWOSU's second baseman. Dean would advance to second on a wild pitch, and then got to third on a single up the middle by Brooke Blackford before she was chased home by Ray.

Staked to a slim 1-0 lead and having already been forced to strand four base runners in two innings of work, Decker locked in. The senior right-hander continued to keep the Bulldogs (18-7, 7-3 GAC) from scoring as she would strand a total of 11 base runners for the game. While posting zeros in the run column, Decker was also sitting down Bulldog hitters on strikes as she picked up a season-high six strikeouts for the game.

Her last two strikeouts were the biggest of the game as both came in the top of the seventh inning. Decker would face the 2, 3, and 4 hitters to start the inning while still holding a slim 1-0 lead. Decker got in early trouble after she surrendered a leadoff single, but strikeouts five and six came in succession to put Decker one out away from her seventh victory of the season. A harmless fly ball to center field sealed the game and gave the Lady Reddies (14-17, 6-8 GAC) the game one victory.

After being shutout in the first game, the Bulldogs came out and platted two runs (unearned) in the top of the first inning. The Lady Reddies would answer back in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of their own. A run in the top of the third inning put SWOSU back on top 3-2. That would remain the score until the bottom of the sixth.

In that inning, the Bulldogs picked up two quick outs and were in line for a quick inning. With two outs, Blackford would be called off the bench to pinch hit for Laura Beth Ray. An error by the shortstop put Blackford on first base. L. Ray then re-entered the game to run for Blackford at first base. L. Ray quickly moved into scoring position as she stole second base. Not long after her steal of second, L. Ray was off looking to swipe third base as well. A throwing error by the catcher allowed L. Ray to run home for the tying score.

No runs came around to score in innings seven, eight, and nine as the international tie-breaker was put into effect for the 10th inning. With the tie-breaker into effect, the last batter to record an out in the batting lineup is placed at second base to begin the inning.

A sacrifice bunt to lead off the top of the 10th inning put the go-ahead run for SWOSU at third base with one out. A groundout to the Henderson second baseman, Ashley Ray allowed the run to score and put SWOSU ahead 4-3. HSU would get out of the inning without SWOSU scoring another run.

Decker, who came on to pinch hit earlier in the game, was placed at second base. A sacrifice bunt by Miranda Vest moved Decker to third with one out. With the tying run 60-feet away, the next two Lady Reddie batters were retired on a strikeout and a groundout to secure the win for Southwestern.

Both starting pitchers went the distance in the game. HSU starter Kasey Carlock came away with the tough-luck loss after working 10 complete innings, giving up nine hits, striking out four, and allowing four runs (one earned).

The two teams will meet back at Dee White Field on Sunday afternoon for the final two games of the series. First pitch is set for noon.