OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Spark took Tuesday's game in dramatic fashion, with a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Texas Smoke. The game was tied at five in the bottom of the seventh when Yvonne Whaley singled, scoring one run.
The Smoke opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. Texas first got on the board when Baylee Klinger singled, scoring one run.
Haley Lee doubled, which helped the Spark tie the game at three in the bottom of the fifth.
A double by Michelle Moultrie gave the Spark the lead, 4-3, in the bottom of the sixth, before a triple by Morgan Howe returned the lead to the Smoke the lead, 5-4, in the top of the seventh.
The Spark then captured the lead, 6-5, in the bottom of the seventh after Lynnsie Elam singled, and Whaley singled, each scoring one run.
Donnie Gobourne pitched six and two-thirds innings in relief for the Spark. The reliever gave up three hits and two runs while, striking out five and walking four. Keilani Ricketts began the game, surrendering five hits and three runs over one-third of an inning, striking out none and walking none. Samantha Show stepped in the circle first for the Smoke. The starting pitcher gave up three hits and one run over two and two-thirds innings, striking out none and walking one.
The Spark collected 13 hits in the game. Whaley made the most of her chances at the plate as the number eight hitter led the team with three hits in four at bats. Moultrie, Jocelyn Alo, Lee, Ricketts, Elam, and Whaley each drove in one run for the Spark.
Charla Echols and Howe were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for the Smoke. Howe went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Texas in hits. Janae Jefferson collected two hits for the Smoke in three at bats and Sahvanna Jaquish paced Texas with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, amassing four walks for the game.
The OKC Spark returns to action in the second of their final home series of the season vs. The Texas Smoke TONIGHT at 7 PM at Hall of Fame Stadium. Click here to buy tickets!