HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - After a couple of schedule changes due to weather conditions, the East Central University baseball team finally opened the 2023 season at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. ECU lost to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith 6-0 in its first of three games at the Second Annual Mike Dugan Invitational.
 
ECU starting pitcher Bryan Terry had a strong outing going six innings and giving up one earned run while striking out seven. The score was tied 0-0 in the third before UAFS managed to score three runs on only one hit, taking advantage of a hit batter, a walk, and an error to go up 3-0. It was the only hit Terry gave up in his outing.
 
UAFS starting pitcher Brayden Johnson was tough on the Tiger hitters as he carried a perfect game into the sixth inning before Cooper Hunt reached on a hit by pitch. Carson Thomas drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate for ECU. Mason Glowacki broke up the no-hitter with a single to right field, but Hunt was thrown out at the plate for the third out.
 
The scoring would remain 3-0 until the Lions pushed across three more runs in the top of the ninth to push the final score to 6-0.
 
Other Tigers that saw action on the mound in relief were Jarod Leroux, Colt Bartling, Price Daube, Bryce Crawford and Justin Chitty.
 
The East Central University baseball team will face Northeastern State University at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4^th heading into Day 2 of the Dugan Invitational.