The Oklahoma City Spark got off on the right foot as they defeated the Texas Volts 7-2 Tuesday night. The Spark win snapped a three-game win streak for the Volts. Jailyn Ford took the win for OKC and pitched her first complete game of the season. Ford allowed 2 runs on 9 hits and recorded her AUSL career high of 8 strikeouts.
“It just feels really good to get a win for the team and especially the first game of the series and moving forward to the next four games,” Ford said. “And I think it’s just been a testament to our team and how much we’re coming together and everything’s clicking on all cylinders.”
The Spark were clicking on offense and took advantage of the opportunities presented. OKC only needed 5 hits on the night but were able to force the Volts into an inefficient night in the circle. NiJaree Canady got the start and gave up a first-inning RBI double to Sydney Romero to give the Spark an early lead.
“I thought we did a really good job of taking advantage today of runners in scoring position with two outs, which is huge in this league, and really grinded out at-bats,” Spark head coach Amber Flores said. “We walked six times, putting us in a position to plate some runs. It was a great game overall.”
Romero has now recorded a hit in eight of her last nine games. Her bat is as consistent as it gets. She finished the night 2-for-4 with a double and RBI.
“I think just being aggressive and focusing on two things, and that’s just being on time and hitting the ball hard, that’s kind of just what I go by,” Romero said after the game.
Canady pitched into the fourth inning and turned the ball over to Ally Carda. Canady finished with 3.0 innings, 3 runs (1 unearned) on 2 hits, 3 strikeouts to 4 walks. She left with two runners on after issuing back-to-back walks. Three batters later, 2 more runs came in as Sydney McKinney reached on a fielder’s choice with Grace Jenkins scoring on the throw and Sydney Sherrill scoring on a throwing error. Maya Brady followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Sarah Gordon.
“That’s a good question,” Volts head coach Ricci Woodard said to a question about inefficiencies. “Again, the Spark is a really good offensive team. So, I think if you make mistakes, they’re going to capitalize on them, and I think we know that, and so sometimes it’s harder to find the zone when you’re trying not to make mistakes.”
Ahead in the bottom of the fifth, the Spark scored their final 3 runs, beginning with an Amari Harper one-out solo home run. After a walk issued to Sherrill, Carda’s day was done and Jessica Mullins took the ball. Mullins gave up 2 runs on a two-out 2 RBI single from McKinney to wrap up the OKC damage.
The Volts had a couple of bright spots in Dejah Mulipola, who finished 2-for-4, and rookie Jackie Lis. Lis belted a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning for her second home run in as many days. She finished the day 3-for-4 with that home run.
“She said she’s finally comfortable,” Woodard said. “That’s part of the problem with the pro league right now is it’s so short that, by the time some of these rookies get comfortable, the season’s about over. So yeah, she’s been really fun to watch in the last week or two.”
With the win, Oklahoma City improved to 10-11 and are two games behind the Portland Cascade for the final playoff spot.
