SHAWNEE, Okla. – The East Central University baseball team split the day in the series finale doubleheader with Oklahoma Baptist, defeating the Bisons 11-8 in game one before falling 11-1 in game two.
 
Two scoreless innings went by in the opener until ECU struck in the third inning with three runs on three hits for the early 3-0 lead.
 
With two outs, Cooper Hunt and Duncan Key singled before a Tanner Collins double down the right field line, followed by a Bison throwing error, drove in all three Tigers.
 
OBU responded in the home half with a pair of runs of their own to cut the ECU lead to 3-2.
 
RBI singles from Gage Boatman in the fourth and Tanner Collins in the seventh would add two more Tiger runs to the board before pulling away in the eighth inning.
 
ECU managed to score four times on no hits as the Tigers took advantage of two bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, a walk, a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch to bring the score to 9-3.
 
Down by six, the Bisons managed to cut the deficit to within one after collecting five runs on three hits to trail 9-8 in the eighth, but a crucial 4-6-3 double play put a stop to the OBU momentum.
 
The Tigers would add two insurance runs a frame later after a throwing error by the Bison catcher drove in Dione Allen and Mason Glowacki to settle the game with an 11-8 win.
 
Starting pitcher Ian Mason picked up the win on the mound going seven innings and allowing three runs on 12 hits while striking out seven. Carson Thomas git the save, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing no runs or hits.
 
Duncan Key, Tanner Collins, and Gage Boatman led with two hits apiece, while Cooper Hunt and Nick Blankenship each had one.
 
OBU's offense started to pick up in the eighth inning of game one, and it carried over into game two as the Bison jumped on the board with a 5-0 lead after the second inning.
 
OBU would tab four more runs in the third and two in the sixth to bring the score to 11-0 heading into the seventh inning.
 
The Tigers finally found the board in its last at-bats after Cooper Hunt tripled to left center and then crossed home plate from Duncan Key's sacrifice fly to the outfield. However, the deficit proved to be too much, and OBU would claim the series with an 11-1 win.
 
Drake Sisemore took the loss, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing nine runs on eight hits. Kaleb Dent came in relief, going 2.1 innings and giving up two runs on six hits, while Jarod Leroux closed it out, pitching one inning and giving up no runs or hits.
 
Christian Whitaker picked up two hits, while Cooper Hunt and Tanner Collins had one.
 
The East Central University baseball team will get ready to travel to Wichita, Kansas, for a nonconference matchup with Newman University Wednesday, April 5.