OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mid-America Christian University Evangels pulled out a wild 11-10 victory over the Central Christian College Tigers in the second game of a twinbill today (Apr. 8) at James Curtis Field. The win gave the Evangels a split after the Tigers won the first game 7-3.
The Evangels nearly let the nightcap slip away as the Tigers rallied from a 10-1 deficit with four runs in the sixth and five runs in the seventh to tie the score heading to the bottom of the seventh. The first seven Tiger hitters reached base to start the seventh frame.
Brandon Bordonaro then led off the seventh for MACU with a hit and Chevin Noone doubled pinch runner Dylan Queen to third with one out.
After Colt Pickens was intentionally walked to load the bases, Dax Marley reached on a fielder's choice that plated Queen for the game-winning run.
Pickens had come in to pitch in the seventh inning and got a double play and strikeout to leave the go-ahead run at third base and eventually earn the win.
In building the nine-run lead, the Evangels got a grand slam from Aaron Conway in the third and solo homer by Pickens in the fourth inning.
Pickens, Ryan Moseley and Brandon Schoelkopf each had two RBIs for the Evangels in the second game win.
Blake Connor started on the mound for MACU and lasted five innings, with five runs allowed and one strikeout.
In the opening game, Zane Howard powered the Tigers' offensive attack with two homeruns and four RBIs.
Howard hit a solo homer in the second inning before unloading a three-run blast in the top of the third that put the Tigers (18-28) on top 4-2.
The Evangels had taken a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly by Jerry McNew in the first and a solo homer by Trey Henley in the second.
Reggie Lindsey also drove in a run with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth for the Evangels (15-22).
Bryan Scott was the Tigers' starter and went the full seven innings, allowing three runs along with five strikeouts in a winning effort.
Madison Spencer pitched five innings for the Evangels and gave up five earned runs with seven strikeouts.
Zach Carley then blanked the Tigers on only one hit over the final two innings.
Cale Backward went two-of-three at the plate in the first game for the Evangels.
The Evangels and Tigers will wrap up the three-game series tomorrow (Apr. 9) at 1 p.m.
