March 28, 2010
3.27.10 - Oklahoma City, Okla.- The Mid-America Christian University baseball team rallied past University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in game one, scoring five runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 9-8 victory. The Evangels held onto their lead in game two, winning 4-2 to sweep the doubleheader and win a crucial Sooner Athletic Conference series 2-1.
The Evangels redeemed themselves after falling to the Drovers on the road on Friday afternoon in an 18-8 run-rule.
After a quiet opening three frames, USAO took a commanding 5-0 lead in the fourth inning. A double by Newet Compton plated Conner Bridgman, giving the Drovers a 1-0 advantage. Cody Bridgman followed with a two-run homer over the left field fence. A single by David Masters rounded out the scoring, sending Jake Dunbar and Regulos Moy home.
The Drovers added to their lead in the top of the fifth using three hits to produce two runs making it a 7-0 game.
MACU cut the Drovers lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs. Pinch hitter James Hall hit a single to plate Dan Heskin who led off the inning with a walk. Scott Mulhearn followed with a double, sending Mahler, who singled earlier in the inning and Hall across home plate. A single by Matt Allen brought Mulhearn home.
USAO got a run back in the top of the sixth but it wouldn't be enough thanks to the Evangels five run rally in the bottom of the seventh.With one out and bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Allen reached on fielder's choice, allowing Brian Carter to score. With runners at first and third and two outs, Pete Feurtado kept the Evangels alive with a single through the hole at shortstop sending Mulhearn home. Down 8-6, a pass ball put the runners on second and third. James Frederick walked to load the bases, sending Heskin to the plate. The Drovers starting pitcher, Nate Hammons, then walked in a run, keeping the bases loaded now down by only one run (8-7). USAO made a pitching change, bringing Alfonso Cardeas in to get the final out. However, Mahler wouldn't have it, hitting the walk-off single to deep right-center field, bringing Feurtado and Frederick across home plate for the win.
Taylor Foster gets the win on the mound for the Evangels, reliving Thomas Peabody in the fifth inning. In 1.1 innings of work he allowed just one hit with two strikeouts. Peabody pitched 5.2 innings, allowing nine hits and 8 runs, seven earned with 4 strikeouts.
Hammons takes the loss, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing nine runs on nine hits with four strikeouts.
In game two, senior pitcher David Wynn paced the Evangels on the mound tossing a complete game, allowing six hits and two unearned runs while striking out eight batters.
The Evangels got on the board first in the night cap. A RBI single by Mulhearn plated Brian Carter to give the Evangels a 1-0 lead.
The Drovers knotted the score in the top of the fourth but the Evangels regained the lead in the bottom half of the frame with a double by Mahler, sending Heskin across home plate.
Two USAO errors aided the Evangels in posting two runs in the fifth, to go ahead 4-1.
The Drovers were able to muster up one run in the top of the seventh but it wasn't enough to get past the Evangels.
MACU continues Sooner Athletic Conference play on Thursday, April 1st when the host SAC opponent Northwestern Oklahoma State University at 2 p.m.
