Story by Oklahoma City University

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Oklahoma City University softball coach Phil McSpadden collected his 1,600th career victory after a doubleheader sweep of USAO 3-1, 7-1 on Tuesday (April 25) at Bill Smith Ballpark.

McSpadden, now in his 30th year at OCU, moved his career record to 1,600-367. Oklahoma City, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, improved to 55-1, 26-0 in Sooner Athletic Conference play in a top-25 showdown.

McSpadden already holds a spot in the NAIA Hall of Fame, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma City University Athletics Hall of Fame. He has led the Stars to national titles in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2016.

Last season, McSpadden was named NAIA softball coach of the year for the ninth time, NFCA NAIA Southwest Region coaching staff of the year for the sixth time in eight years plus NFCA NAIA coaching staff of the year for fifth time.

With the win, McSpadden, became the first softball coach to garner 1,600 wins vs. four-year schools. In college softball, only Mike Candrea can claim more victories than McSpadden. Candrea has 1,658 college softball wins – 1,473 at Arizona and 185 on the junior-college level at Central Arizona.

"I'm a lucky guy," McSpadden said. "I work at a university that has always cared about athletics and academics. When I'm out recruiting [OCU] is such an easy sell. Our success over the years is a tribute to the fact that I can sell what this university offers. I love these kids, and I like to believe on certain days they love me."

In game one, OCU fell behind early as 23rd-ranked USAO (32-15, 17-7 SAC) plated a run in the bottom half of the first. The Stars increased their record this season to 4-0 vs. NAIA ranked foes and 5-1 vs. NAIA and NCAA Division II rated opponents.

The score remained 1-0 until the fourth inning when the Stars took the lead on RBI singles from Samantha Stallbaumer and Kali Pugh.

Oklahoma City tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning when Pugh lifted a solo shot of the season over the wall.

Pugh, a senior from Vista, Calif., finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Georgia Wall picked up the win for the Stars, pitching seven innings, allowing only five hits, one runs and striking out two. She moved to 23-0 on the season.

OCU grabbed a lead in game two with three runs in the top of the third.

Pugh, the reigning NAIA player of the week, got the scoring starting with a two-run homer. She is now tied for the NAIA lead with 20 home runs this season.

The Lady Drovers answered with a run in the bottom half, but were unable to add any more as Abby Meador came in with the bases loaded and got a strikeout and a groundout to escape further damage.
Oklahoma City broke the game open with four runs in the seventh inning thanks to RBI singles from Jaci Smith, Amanda Ingram and Meador.

Ingram, a senior from Oklahoma City, and Meador, a junior from Midwest City, Okla., both recorded multiple hits and an RBI in game two.

Meador picked up the win in relief after throwing 4.2 innings, allowing two hits, no runs and striking out six.

The Stars look to finish the regular season undefeated against NAIA competition Thursday in Oklahoma City against Mid-America Christian with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

MILESTONE WINS FOR MCSPADDEN
Win No. 1: Oklahoma City 14, North Texas 4, Feb. 25, 1988 in Denton, Texas
Win No. 500: Oklahoma City 11, Phillips 0, April 30, 1997 in sectional championship game at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City
Win No. 1,000: Oklahoma City 5, Rogers State 0, April 4, 2006 in Claremore, Okla.
Win No. 1,458: Oklahoma City 8, Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) 0, April 10, 2015 at Ann Lacy Stadium in Oklahoma City
Win No. 1,500: Oklahoma City 6, Kansas Wesleyan 1, March 4, 2016 in Wichita, Kan.
Win No. 1,600: Oklahoma City 7, USAO 1, April 25, 2017 in Chickasha, Okla.