OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels committed five errors, including three in the first inning that proved too much to overcome in an 8-5 loss to the St. Gregory's University Cavaliers in the opening game of a three-game series today (Apr. 2) at James Curtis Field. 

The three miscues in the first inning led to three runs for the Cavaliers, all unearned against MACU starter Martin Nolasco.  

After A.J. Wilson doubled to lead off the second and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Bordonaro, Jordan Weber and Nick Hoffman hit RBI doubles as the Cavaliers put up a five spot in the fourth inning to pull out to a commanding 8-1 lead. 

The Evangels chipped away with a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Daniel Thompson before a sacrifice fly by Matt Cruz was sandwiched between bases-loaded walks to Brandon Schoelkopf and Kody Jones in the sixth inning to make it a three-run game. 

But that's all the Evangels could get as Mikey Egger came in with two outs and got a groundout to get out of the bases-loaded jam and preserve the lead. 

Egger then blanked the Evangels on one hit over the next three innings to pick up the save. 

Scott Tali lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed five runs to get the win for SGU (7-26, 2-10 SAC). 

Nolasco was charged with four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings for the Evangels.  Zach Carley pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed just one run.  Zach Abbott and Wyatt Glagow combined to get the final three outs with no hits allowed. 

Thompson and Noone each had two hits on the day for the Evangels (15-17-1, 3-8 SAC). 

The two teams will now wrap up the series with the Evangels hosting a twinbill Saturday (Apr. 4) at noon.