OKLAHOMA CITY ? The Mid-America Christian University Evangels fought and clawed back from an early eight-run deficit, but couldn't quite complete the comeback in falling 12-10 to the No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Oklahoma City University Stars in a winner's bracket game today (May 6) in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament at Jim Wade Stadium on the OCU campus.
The Evangels' final attempt at getting over the hump came when they trailed 12-7 heading to the bottom of the ninth.
MACU managed to load the bases with no outs and a walk to Jose Martinez chased home Colt Pickens to make it 12-8 and bring the tying run to the plate.
A sacrifice fly by Kevin Lentzner and RBI groundout from Cameron Kirk brought the Evangels closer, but Tyler Milligan got a groundout to end the threat and finish out the win for the Stars.
The Evangels found themselves down big early when Jared Baker hit a three-run homerun in the first inning that was followed by a five-run second inning by the Stars.
MACU began to chip away from that point, getting on the board with a two-run single by Pedro Varela in the bottom of the second and then jumping right back in it on a three-run home run by Aaron Davis in the bottom of the fifth.
The Evangels threatened to come even closer in the seventh, but failed to score after putting runners on first and second with no outs.
After OCU added to their lead with two runs in the eighth, Cameron Kirk tripled home Lentzner and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Varela to answer the Stars' two runs and make it a three-run game once again.
An RBI double by Joe Lytle and then a run-scoring single from Baker provided OCU with valuable insurance runs in the ninth.
Zach Carley came in for starter Madison Spencer and kept the Evangels close, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings before being charged with two runs in the eighth. Carley struck out five and walked five in his 6 1/3 innings of work.
Ben Donnell also threw a scoreless inning in relief for the Evangels.
Matt Young got the win for the Stars, striking out 10 and giving up five earned runs over six innings. The five earned runs allowed equal the most Young has surrendered in an outing this season.
The Evangels are currently playing St. Gregory's University in an elimination game. As of this writing, MACU trailed SGU 3-0 in the second inning. If the Evangels rally back and win, they would play OCU tomorrow (May 7) at 2 pm. The Evangels would have to beat OCU twice tomorrow to advance to the SAC championship game, set for Monday (May 8) at 1 pm in Chickasha, Okla.?
