ADA, OKLA. – The East Central University baseball team made a late push, but was unable to overcome an early deficit and fell 6-8 to Ouachita Baptist in the first of three Great American Conference games.

The Tigers (7-14, 6-7 GAC) trailed Ouachita with nine hits to 13, with seniors Jake MeKeel and Kaleb Matthews each earning two hits.  MeKeel added two runs and an RBI, while Matthews netted a run scored and an RBI.

Senior Dylan Sanchez started the game and suffered the loss, allowing five hits and four runs in 2.0 innings pitched.  Junior Shae Edmonds finished the game, allowing eight hits and four runs and striking out four.

After a scoreless first inning, Ouachita took the lead, using five hits for a 0-4 lead.

The Tigers responded in the bottom of the third, but were only about to get one run across the plate.  Senior Kodiak O'Ravez started the inning by drawing a walk and then stole second.  MeKeel sent him to third on a single to left center, setting up junior Connor Stevenson to earn the RBI with his single to left and the 1-4 score.

However, Ouachita was not done scoring, adding a run in the fourth and two in the sixth for the 1-7 advantage.

ECU kept fighting and cut into the deficit in the seventh.  O'Ravez started the inning with a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error.  MeKeel then sent him home with a single up the middle.

The next batter was sent back to the dugout, but Matthews kept things going with a walk, that included a pass ball to put MeKeel on third.  That allowed senior JT Stevenson to earn an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center and make the score 3-7.

Ouachita added a run in the top of the ninth for a 3-8 lead.  However, the Tigers would not go away quietly and made a push in the bottom of the ninth.

After the first out MeKeel and Connor Stevenson were walked, putting a runner in scoring position when Matthews singled to right center.  A second out was recorded, but pinch hitter senior Trevor Huie kept the inning alive with a walk to load the bases.

The Ouachita pitching staff then struggled, walking juniors Wesley Carswell and Austin LoBue to score two more runs and cut the deficit to two (6-8).  However, the next batter flew out to center to end the game.

The teams will wrap up the GAC series, Saturday, March 18 with a double-header set to start at noon at Ken Turner Field.