Plainview, Texas – The Mid-America Christian University Evangels scored four runs in the sixth inning to rally and defeat the Wayland Baptist University Pioneers 5-4 in the second game of a doubleheader today (Apr. 21) at Wilder Field in Plainview, Texas. The victory gave the Evangels a split of the twinbill after the Pioneers won the first game 3-2.
The Evangels trailed the nightcap 4-1 heading into the sixth frame when Jacob Martinez led off with a single and Axel Poesmans reached on an infield hit with one out.
Pinch Runner Rhett Barber then scored on a single by Cameron Kirk before Kirk and pinch runner Abdiel Quinones were chased home on an RBI double by Pedro Varela to tie the score.
With Varela representing the go-ahead run at third and two outs, Colt Pickens delivered a single that put the Evangels on top.
Reliever Chevin Noone then pitched a scoreless sixth before giving way to Ben Donnell, who worked around a pair of one-out singles in the seventh to close out the win and pick up the save.
Pickens was three-of-three in the second game for the Evangels, including a solo homer in the third that tied the score at 1-1.
Poesmans went two-of-four with a double for MACU.
Jake White started for the Evangels and lasted four innings and gave up two earned runs with two strikeouts.
Noone pitched two scoreless frames and got the win.
Hector Romero, Ernesto Lizardi and Paxton Covel each had two hits for WBU.
In the opening game, the Evangels were behind 1-0 when Kevin Lentzner led off the fifth with a double and scored to tie the score on a bunt single by Varela.
But the Pioneers reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning on an RBI triple by Romero and then added another run on a solo homer by Alex Mumm in the sixth.
The Evangels clawed within a run in the seventh as Ryan Moseley reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded to score Cameron Kirk, but Tristen Hefner got Pickens to line out to first with the tying run at third to finish the game for the Pioneers and notch the save.
Madison Spencer turned in a solid start in the first game for MACU (18-28, 9-11 SAC), allowing three runs in six innings.
Kyle Eifert went 6 1/3 innings and struck out four while giving up two runs to get the win for WBU.
Gregg Veneklasen went two-of-two at the plate for the Pioneers (19-24, 7-13 SAC).
The Evangels and Pioneers will now play the rubber game of the series tomorrow (Apr. 22) at noon.
