ADA, Okla. – The East Central University baseball team returned to Ken Turner Field on Monday for their series finale against Southern Nazarene University. In thrilling fashion, the Tigers walked off 8-7 in the first game before securing a 9-6 win in the game two to complete their second consecutive Great American Conference series sweep of the season.
 
With the victories, ECU improves to 11-26 overall and 7-17 in GAC play, marking their first back-to-back GAC series wins and consecutive series sweeps since 2015. The Tigers have now won seven straight games, a historic run that serves as a major milestone for the program.
 
GAME 1 | ECU 8, SNU 7
Southern Nazarene got off to a strong start in the first inning, rallying for four runs on two hits to take a 4-0 lead. However, the Tigers quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs of their own on two hits and two Crimson Storm errors. Tyler Akers scored on a fielding miscue, Blake Seefeldt's sacrifice fly brought home Weldon Sherrell, and Ethan Rone and Mason Shimkus both drew bases-loaded walks to tie the game at 4-4.
 
ECU's starting pitcher, Cal Birchfield, along with the Tigers' defense, settled in and held SNU to just one hit over the next four innings, allowing the Tigers to build a lead. In the second inning, back-to-back RBI doubles from Seefeldt and Christian Fernandez, followed by an error that allowed Fernandez to score, gave ECU a 7-4 lead.
 
The Crimson Storm would fight back, adding one run in the sixth and tying the game at 7-7 in the ninth with a late rally. But the Tigers were determined to finish strong, loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth before Shimkus delivered the game-winning hit, walking it off for the series-clinching victory.
 
Jeremy Slate earned his first win in relief, tossing a scoreless final inning with no hits allowed, giving ECU the chance to seal the victory.
 
Mason Shimkus led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Zac Carroll also went 3-for-5 at the plate.
 
GAME 2 | ECU 9, SNU 6
In the second game, the Tigers struck first, putting two runs on the board in the opening inning with a sacrifice fly from Blake Seefeldt and aggressive base running by Zac Carroll.
 
Southern Nazarene briefly took the lead in the third, scoring four runs on five hits to move ahead 4-2. However, ECU answered in the bottom half of the inning, plating five runs on three hits. Carroll doubled down the right-field line, Fernandez singled for an RBI, and Trace Necessary followed with a two-RBI single. A sacrifice fly by Ethan Rone gave the Tigers a 7-4 advantage.
 
SNU made another push in the final inning, adding two runs to close the gap to 9-6. But relief pitcher Beau Driggers closed out the game with a strikeout, securing the victory for the Tigers.
 
Nate Windle pitched 6.0 solid innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking none, earning his second win of the season.
 
Zac Carroll continued his strong performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 for the second consecutive game, while Blake Seefeldt added a 2-for-3 effort with three RBIs.
 
ECU will now take on Southeastern Oklahoma State University for a midweek rivalry matchup tomorrow, April 8 at 3 pm.