OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mid-America Christian baseball team tested No. 3 Science & Arts in its Sooner Athletic Conference opener, but the Evangels comeback efforts fell just short in a 9-8 loss at James Curtis Field on Thursday afternoon.
Mid-America Christian (14-6) trailed early after Science & Arts (11-1) pushed across an unearned run in the top of the first, but the Evangels quickly bounced back with a four-run second inning.
The Evangels scored their first run when Brandon Reese laid down a bunt down the third base line, but USAO pitcher Jean Muntaner overthrew the third baseman trying to get the lead runner, allowing Joshua Fernandez to score and tie the game at 1-1.
Two batters later, Edgar Martinez drove a pair in with a deep two-RBI double to right, scoring Grant Roberts from third and Reese from first to make it a 3-1 game. Andres Gonzalez followed by hitting a shallow RBI single into right, allowing Martinez to cross home plate, bringing the score to 4-1.
The Drovers got three of the runs back in the top of the fourth to tie the game before taking the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth and one more in the seventh to make it a 7-4 ballgame.
MACU got a run back in the bottom half of the frame when Edgar Martinez blasted a solo shot over the left field fence, trimming the deficit to two.
However, Science & Arts scored two crucial insurance runs in the top of the ninth to take its largest lead of the game at 9-5.
Mid-America Christian did not give up without a fight as the Evangels led off the final frame with a Leonel Bejaran-Specht walk and an Edgar Martinez infield single to put runners at first and second. After the two moved up a base on a wild pitch, Bejaran-Specht came around to score on a throwing error by the Drovers shortstop while putting runners at second and third with one out.
Martinez and Yan Ely Adames each came around to score on another Drovers fielding error, bringing the score to 9-8 with a runner on first with one out. However, MACU was unable to push the tying run across as Jaily Paredes and Joshua Fernandez each struck out to end the ballgame.
Mid-America Christian scored its eight runs on eight hits and committed a season-high six errors while the Drovers tallied their nine runs on nine hits while making three defensive miscues.
USAO had no answer for MACU leadoff hitter Edgar Martinez, recording five of the Evangels eight hits by going 5-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored, finishing just a triple away from the cycle with a homer and a double.
Keisy Portorreal took the tough luck loss after throwing 5.1 innings and giving up six runs, three earned on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Frank Souza pitched three innings of relief, allowing three runs, one earned on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
Mid-America Christian will look to bounce back against the Drovers tomorrow as the Evangels will travel to Chickasha, Okla. on Friday for a doubleheader slated for a 4 p.m. start at Bill Smith Ballpark.
