WEATHERFORD, OKLA. – The East Central University baseball team started the Great American Conference portion of the 2015 season with a 5-3 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State at the SWOSU Baseball Field.

The Tigers (5-3, 1-0 GAC) were led by senior Bryce McKee, who garnered three hits and one run.  Senior David Terrazas added a team-high two RBIs on one hit.  Senior Lucas Kaplan started the game and earned the win after six innings of work.  Kaplan allowed six hits and three runs, while striking out four to move to 3-0 on the season.

The Bulldogs (2-6, 0-1 GAC) started the scoring in the bottom of the second, earning a single run.  The next inning was scoreless before ECU started to turn up the tempo.

Senior Luc Pomales started the inning by drawing a walk and was sent to third when senior Nick Spini and McKee both singled and loaded the bases.  The first out was then recorded before senior Garrett Donohoe earned an RBI when he drew a walk.  Senior Eric Swann scored the final run of the inning with a single through the right side for a 2-1 lead.

SWOSU tied the game at two with a single run in the bottom of the fourth, but it didn't take long for ECU to respond and gain the lead for good.

The Tigers added three runs in the top of the fifth, scoring all three runs after the first two outs of the inning were recorded.  Spini reached due to an error and was sent to third when McKee doubled to left field.  That allowed Terrazas to earn his two RBIs when he followed with a double down the right field line.  Donohoe then reached on an error that allowed Terrazas to score for the 5-2 lead.

The Bulldogs tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, but ECU only allowed one run to score for the 5-3 score.  SWOSU then had an opportunity to score in the bottom of the ninth after a leadoff walk.  However, the Tigers defense buckled down and forced three quick out to not allow a runner past first base.

ECU and the Bulldogs will continue the three-game series Saturday, Feb. 14 with a double-header starting at noon.