ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The East Central University baseball team was unable to overcome Ouachita Baptist University this weekend, falling in all three games of the Great American Conference series at Rab Rodgers Field.
 
The Tigers dropped the three-game series on Saturday and Sunday, first facing a 13-0 defeat in game one before putting up a more competitive effort but still falling short 9-1 in both games of the doubleheader to wrap up the weekend.
 
In the opening game, Ouachita Baptist quickly established a 6-0 lead after two innings before pulling ahead 13-0 by the fourth and maintaining that score until the end.  
 
Bryan Terry got the start and the loss going 1.2 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits. Clayton Solomon and Bryce Crawford came out of the bullpen and combined for seven runs and six strikeouts over the final 4.1 innings.
 
ECU's four hits were scattered between Tanner Collins, DeAngelo Morales, Britton Sperry, and Krew Taylor.
 
Despite the Tigers having a better offensive effort in game two, including Christian Whitaker going 3-for-4 at the plate and driving in Tyler Akers for their only run, Ouachita Baptist scored across five different innings to secure the 9-1 victory.
 
Cal Birchfield tossed 4.1 innings allowing six runs and striking out five while Justin Chitty came in for relief, minimizing further damage with three runs over 3.2 innings.
 
Tanner Collins and Britton Sperry were right behind Whitaker offensively with two hits apiece.
 
In the series finale, ECU got on the scoreboard early in the second inning after DeAngelo Morales homered to left field to cut the deficit to 3-1, but Ouachita Baptist pushed across a run in the second, two in the fourth, and three in the fifth to maintain control and seal their second 9-1 win of the afternoon.
 
Chat Hayes pitched 4.2 innings on the mound, allowing nine runs on nine hits while Beau Driggers finished strong in the last 1.1 innings preventing any further runs or hits.
 
The East Central University baseball team will look to regroup next weekend for their upcoming GAC series against Henderson State University at Ken Turner Field March 22-23.