ADA, Okla. – The East Central University baseball team stepped out of conference play to take on Rogers State University for a weekday contest, dropping to the Hillcats 12-1 at Ken Turner field.
 
ECU faced a tough first three innings as RSU wasted no time getting on the board, putting up two runs in the first, five in the second, and three more in the third to take a 10-0 lead.
 
Tiger pitcher Bryce Crawford came into the fourth and finally put a halt to the Hillcats scoring, but RSU picked right back up in the fifth, growing their lead to 12-0 with a two-RBI single.
 
In the fifth, ECU found its way on the board when Christian Whitaker doubled to center field, and Kyle Busker followed with an RBI single to send Whitaker home.
 
The Tigers held the Hillcats scoreless the next two innings but weren't able to get much going on the offensive end to erase the 11-run deficit, and RSU walked away with the 12-1 win.
 
ECU starting pitcher Cooper Hunt took the loss, pitching one inning and giving up two runs on one hit.
 
Price Daube, Justin Chitty, Bryce Crawford, Brian Pasha, Chris Jackson, and Jarod Leroux all saw one inning of action on the mound as well.
 
Christian Whitaker collected a pair of hits, while Kyle Busker added one and an RBI in the effort.
 
The East Central University Baseball team will return to conference play March 10-11 in Weatherford, Oklahoma to face Southwestern Oklahoma State University.