ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – With the series split 1-1, the East Central University baseball team battled with Henderson State University in the series finale, keeping the game close for six and a half innings before the Reddies pulled away to bring the final score to 8-4 on Sunday.
 
After three and a half scoreless innings went by, Henderson would strike first with a two-out three-run bomb to right center for the 3-0 lead.
 
ECU quickly responded, though, in the top of the fourth after Nolan Herchock singled to right center to score Duncan Key and add ECU's first run on the board.
 
ECU starting pitcher Ian Mason shook off the third inning and regrouped to hold off Henderson in the fourth and fifth frames.
 
The Tigers attacked again in the top of the seventh when Dawerlyn Amancio drew a walk, stole second, then crossed home plate from Nick Blankenship's single through the gap to cut the Reddies lead to one at 3-2.
 
Unfortunately, that would be as close as the game got as a five-run seventh inning from Henderson extended their lead to 8-2 to break the game open.
 
ECU didn't back down and added two more runs in the eighth after Kyle Busker drew a walk, Mason Glowacki reached on an error, and Cooper Hunt drew a walk before Duncan Key flew out to right field to plate Busker. Christian Whitaker then reached on a fielder's choice while Glowacki hurried home to trail 8-4.
 
Despite the Tigers battling back, the Reddies would hold off ECU in the final inning to secure the game three win 8-4.
 
Ian Mason took the loss, pitching 6.2 innings while giving up eight runs on five hits.
 
Kaleb Dent came in relief and went 1.1 innings, giving up no runs or hits.
 
Nolan Herchock, Dawerlyn Amancio, and Nick Blankenship each picked up a hit.
 
The East Central University baseball team will return to action Friday, March 31 at 6 p.m.