ADA – The East Central University baseball team split the first two games of a three-game series with Southeastern Oklahoma State at Ken Turner Field.  The Tigers fell in the opening game 5-10 before rallying to win game two 8-3.

The Tigers (11-29, 10-22 GAC) were led by a trio of seniors, who hit .500 or better for the day.  Jake MeKeel led the group with a .571 average, four hits, three runs and an RBI.  Kaleb Matthews and JT Stevenson each hit .500 for the day.  Matthews earned four hits and an RBI, while JT Stevenson had three hits, four runs and an RBI.

Junior Kyle Britt picked up the win on the mound, throwing 6.2 innings in game two.  He allowed four hits and one run, while striking out two.

The teams are set to finish up the series and the 2017 regular-season, Saturday, April 29 with a single game at 12 p.m.  However, there are thunderstorms and rain expected in the area throughout the day so stay tuned to www.ecutigers.com for updates.

ECU 8, Southeastern 3
The Savage Storm (16-27, 13-17 GAC) started the scoring, taking a 0-2 lead after the top of the first.

However, ECU responded with a single run in the bottom of the inning for a 1-2 score.  MeKeel started the game with a walk, junior Connor Stevenson was hit by a pitch and Matthews hit a single to load the bases.  That allowed senior Josh Reeves to earn and RBI with a sacrifice fly.

The Tigers kept the pressure up in the second, taking a 4-2 lead.  JT Stevenson and junior Austin LoBue were walked before MeKeel earned his RBI with a single to right center.  Connor Stevenson added two more runs with a single to left field.

Southeastern cut into the lead with a run in the fifth, but could not get closer than one (4-3).

ECU took control of the game in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs to take the 8-3 advantage.  JT Stevenson started the inning with a solo home run.  Junior Kade Hayes kept things going with a single and MeKeel was walked.  The runners then got to second and third with the second out of the inning.

Connor Stevenson sent the next two runs home with a single up the middle before Matthews sent him home with a double to right center.

The Tigers then sent the Savage Storm back to the dugout in order in the top of the seventh for the victory.

Southeastern 10, ECU 5
ECU was the first to score in the opening game of the day, taking a 2-0 lead after the second inning.  The Tigers got the runs on singles from JT Stevenson and LoBue and a double from senior Trevor Huie.

It took until the fourth inning for Southeastern to start scoring, but when it started they took the lead for good.  The Savage Storm tallied four runs in the fourth and added runs in the fifth and seventh for a 2-7 lead.

ECU was able to cut into the lead in the seventh on a triple from Hayes and a single from senior Kodiak O'Ravez, but could only add one run (3-7).

Southeastern then push the lead to 3-10, with a three-run ninth inning.

The Tigers attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, but were only able to score two more runs for the 5-10 final.