Misc. News -- April 10, 2007 -- Collinsville, OK -- www.cvilleok.com

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ECC/Sportsplex Access Issues -- I've avoided wading into this controversy waiting for more complete information. I had heard of some of the complaints from kids baseball and soccer parents who have had a difficult time reaching the games at the Sportsplex this past week or so, due to the state of construction at the new Early Childhood Center (ECC). Parents and teachers at Herald Elementary also have temporarily lost a portion of their existing lot as the new ECC parking lot and access roads are being prepared. The new lot and roadways (& ECC) are under the control of Atlas Construction and although there is gravel on the surface they have blocked access to cars to prevent contamination until the asphalt can be applied (as well as liability concerns). Asphalt application likely won't happen for about 2 more weeks (or longer with bad weather). In the mean time people trying to reach the sports fields have tried various alternatives which have caused complains from those impacted. According to Terry Due (in a report to the school board Monday night) school permission has been given to drive behind Hearld from the south (unless the ground is wet!) to park closer to the baseball fields. The Creekside Addition (under construction just west of Herald Elementary) has also given temporary permission for vehicles to drive on and park on their existing asphalt surfaces which will still leave a walk of about 100 yards to the baseball fields. Mr. Due also indicated that a new fence opening had been cut to allow temporary parking near the soccer fields. I haven't witnessed any of this first hand and have not seen what information was exchanged between any of the many parties involved: contractor, school, neighbors, softball parents and leaders, soccer parents and leaders, city, police, tow truck drivers, etc... but apparently a bit more coordination and publicity could have helped smoothed this transition period until the paved surfaces are available to the public. -- Ted Wright -- Tuesday -- 8:10pm 4-10-2007

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Hillary Brown:
Two Home Runs In Same Inning
(2006 CHS Grad)

SPORTS RELEASE April 10, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA (CHICKASHA
CONTACT ZAC UNDERWOOD, USAO Sports Information, zunderwood@usao.edu
Softball Drovers Split with Tigers

(ADA) Led by Hillary Brown's two home runs in the second inning, the 22nd-ranked University of Science and Arts reeled off its 20th win of the season with a 10-5 over East Central in game one Monday afternoon. The Tigers rebounded in game two winning 9-5 to split the series.

Brown entered the game tied for the team lead with three home runs, and the freshman from Collinsville started the fireworks early in game one. Her solo homer to lead off the second inning gave USAO a 1-0 lead. After the entire lineup batted, and USAO had a five-run lead, Brown stepped up and blasted her second homer of the inning.

Her fifth home run of the season was a three-run shot to left center field that scored Amy Renault and Morgan Thompson and put the Drovers up 8-0.

Kelsey MacInnes drove in Hope Foley in the third inning as USAO pushed the lead to 9-0 before ECU got on the board in the bottom of the third. The Tigers scored three runs in the fourth and another in the sixth but couldn't match the big inning USAO posted early in the game.

Marina Poddubskaya got the win giving up four earned runs while striking out four batters in seven innings of work. Brown finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs, while Foley had one of her best games of the season at the plate. The senior catcher went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. MacInnes finished 3-for-5 with one run scored and two RBIs.

Game two favored the home team as ECU racked up 16 hits and seven earned runs after USAO jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. A two-run single by Leslie Beaty scored Jennifer Bridgforth and Renault, but ECU answered in the bottom half with the help of two USAO errors.

Down 4-3, USAO rallied in the fifth as Renault singled home MacInnes, and Brown drove in Thompson giving USAO a 5-4 lead.

ECU posted its second three-run inning of the day in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-5 lead. The Tigers posted two more runs in the sixth to cement just its 11th win of the season.

The Drovers go back to conference play on Tuesday with a make-up game at Oklahoma Baptist beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday USAO will host second-ranked Oklahoma City beginning at 2 p.m. at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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