OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mid-America Christian University Evangels defeated their former Sooner Athletic Conference rival Oklahoma Baptist University Bison for the first time since 2011, by a score of 9-5 today (Mar. 15) at James Curtis Field. The Bison, now an NCAA D-II member, had won the previous 15 meetings with the Evangels.
Trailing 2-0 heading to the bottom of the third, the Evangels exploded for seven runs behind a bases-clearing, three-run double by Colt Pickens.
The Evangels (12-10) sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning, with the big hit coming on a three-run double by Colt Pickens that put the Evangels ahead for good.
Aaron Conway got the inning started with an infield single and scored the first run on an infield hit by Brandon Schoelkopf. Ryan Moseley then doubled home pinch-runner Tanner Ward that tied the game at 2-2.
Trey Henley then singled home Pickens and a sacrifice fly by Conway plated Reggie Lindsey to put a cap on the inning.
It was still 7-2 when Brandon Bordonaro hit a two-run homer to left to score Conway for two valuable insurance runs in the fifth inning.
Cody Ziegler then answered for the Bison with a two-run homer in the sixth to make it 9-4.
It remained 9-4 going to the ninth when things got interesting as the Bison loaded the bases with no one out. Pickens had come on to pitch with two runners on and following a walk, got a big strikeout with the bases jammed.
After a bases-loaded walk to Ziegler brought the tying-run to the plate, Pickens induced a double-play to finish out the win for the Evangels.
Blake Connor started on the mound for the Evangels and after surrendering a two-run homer to Brandon Cuddy in the first, settled in and lasted 5 1/3 innings with four runs allowed and four strikeouts to get the win.
In relief, Brandon Johnson followed Connor and pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings before Zach Carley came on and blanked the Bison in the eighth inning with one strikeout.
The Evangels' offense was keyed by two hits each from Moseley, Conway and Bordonaro.
MACU will next begin a three-game home Sooner Athletic Conference series against Southwestern Assemblies of God University Friday afternoon (Mar. 18) with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The two schools will then wrap up the series with a single game Saturday afternoon (Mar. 19), also at 1 p.m.
