TYLER, TX- The Cougars began play at the NCAA South Central Regionals on Thursday with a showdown against Oklahoma Christian. Led by a gem in the circle from Emma Duncan and timely hitting, CCU claimed the 3-1 victory to move into the winner's bracket in Tyler. 

The game began with a pair of scoreless innings as the pitching was locked in from both teams. The Eagles broke through in the bottom of the third, as a leadoff triple and RBI groundout put them ahead 1-0. 

CCU responded immediately in the top of the fourth, as Rachel Williams doubled to put herself into scoring position. Camryn Quilling quickly brought her home with an RBI single and she advanced to third after a throwing error from the OCU outfield. The senior raced home on a wild pitch as the Cougars took a 2-1 lead. Kat Hanson kept the surge going with a double, and Mia Stankiewicz singled her home for the 3-1 lead at the end of the fourth. 

A quick fifth inning saw Duncan set down three straight batters, and a threat in the sixth was squelched after two straight flyouts. Leading 3-1 heading to the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles tried to mount a rally as they got a runner to third base after a leadoff single and several advances. Hanna Espinoza came in for the final out, and she quickly induced a groundout to Peyton Marvel at shortstop to seal the impressive 3-1 victory. 

Duncan was lights out in the circle, going 6.2 innings while striking out three and scattering four hits to claim her 20th win of the season. Espinoza notched save number eight as she once again proved invaluable out of the bullpen. Quilling and Stankiewicz provided the offense with their RBI in the victory. 

With the victory, CCU advances into the winner's bracket and will take on the host and one-seed UT Tyler May 9 at 11 a.m. MDT at Irwin Field.