ADA – The East Central University baseball team kept on the winning side of the scoreboard, with a 6-5 win against Arlington Baptist in the first game of a three-game non-conference series at Ken Turner Field.

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The Tigers (13-10) were led by senior Bryce McKee at the plate, with four hits in five at-bats, one run scored and two RBIs.  Those four hits included a game-winning single to the right center gap in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Senior Cam McKay earned the win, throwing the final three innings, allowing just one hit and zero runs.  Senior Lucas Kaplan started the game, allowing nine hits and five runs, while striking out five in the first six innings.

After Kaplan struck out the side in the top of the first inning, ECU's first two batters popped up.  However, senior Nick Spini started things going for the Tigers with a single to right field.  Senior Garrett Donohoe then earned an RBI with a double to left center.  Senior Bryce McKee then added a run with a single through the left side for a 2-0 lead.

The Patriots (11-18) cut the deficit to one in the top of the second, with a single run.

The game remained 2-1 until the top of the sixth inning, when Arlington Baptist sent four runs home for a 2-5 advantage.

The Tigers came right back and scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 4-5 deficit.  After the first out McKee hit a double to right field and was sent to third on a single by senior David Terrazas to center field.  Senior Casey Chenoweth earned two RBIs on a double to right center.

ECU added a run in the seventh inning on singles from senior Ty Huie and Donohoe put runners on the corners.  The run was then sent home on a wild pitch tying the game at five.

Both teams held each other scoreless in the eighth inning, and ECU held strong on defense in the top of the ninth.

The Tigers then went to work in the bottom of the ninth, with senior Dustin Torres leading off with a single to right field.  Torres advanced to second on a wild pitch before the first out and then on a balk after the first out was recorded. 

The Patriots then chose to intentionally walk the next two batters, Spini and Donohoe, to load the bases and try for the force out at home.  However, McKee had different plans and hit a ball to the deep right center gap for the walk-off run (6-5).

The teams will continue the series, Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. at Ken Turner Field for a double-header.