GRANDE PRAIRIE, TEXAS – The East Central University baseball team made a late push in the ninth, but fell just short against Washburn, 9-12, at the SAU DII Classic at the Ballpark.

The Tigers (0-2) recorded 11 hits, with three players recording more than one.  Junior Thomas McGarry led the team with three hits, one run and five RBIs, while senior Casey Kenney added three hits, two runs and one RBI.

Junior Dylan Sanchez started on the mound for ECU, going 5.0 innings, allowing one run and six hits, while striking out three.

The Ichabods were the first to get on the scoreboard, taking a 0-1 lead in the top of the third.

The Tigers then took the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs.  After the first out junior JT Stevenson and junior Trey Mound both singled to left and the bases were loaded when junior Kodiak O'Ravez drew a walk.

Kenney earned his RBI on the next play, hitting into a fielder's choice that allowed Stevenson to score.  Junior Riley Roberts reloaded the bases by drawing a walk, which allowed McGarry to earn three of his RBIs when he hit a double to left center.

Washburn retook the lead with a single run in the fourth and then added to its advantage with five runs in the eighth and two in the ninth for a 4-12 score.

The Tigers didn't go away quietly in the bottom of the ninth.  After the first out, Stevenson was walked and sent around when sophomore Dalton Etheredge, who was a pinch hitter, hit the first home run of the year for ECU.

A second out was recorded before Kenney and junior Riley Roberts both singled.  McGarry then earned his last two RBIs with a single up the middle.  McGarry then took second and third on a balk, which allowed him to score on a wild pitch for the 9-12 final.

The Tigers will continue at the SAU DII Classic at the Ballpark, Saturday, Feb. 6 with a 10 a.m. game against Cameron and a 1 p.m. title against Southern Arkansas.