ADA, Okla. – The East Central University baseball team opened play at home on Tuesday afternoon but couldn't hold onto an early surge, falling 10–6 to Rogers State University in a midweek nonconference matchup at Ken Turner Field.
 
ECU will now turn its attention to its first Great American Conference series of the season, hosting Henderson State University beginning Thursday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. The series will wrap up Friday with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.
 
The Tigers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, erupting for four runs in the bottom of the first inning. ECU capitalized on early traffic as Tyler Akers led off with a double before crossing the plate on a sacrifice fly from Max Tremblay. Blake Seefeldt followed with an RBI single to make it 2–0, and Pryce Jackson added to the rally with an RBI triple down the right-field line. Logan Jeske capped the inning with an RBI single up the middle to give the Tigers a 4–0 advantage.
 
But despite the hot start, the Tigers bats went cold as Rogers State answered back in the second inning with a pair of runs and continued to chip away over the next several frames. The Hillcats tied the game in the fourth on a solo home run before taking the lead in the fifth on a wild pitch that allowed a run to score.
 
RSU added insurance runs in the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, building the lead to 10–4 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
 
ECU showed fight late, plating two runs in the final inning. Joey Allen doubled to right field to drive in a Jackson, and Donovan Noble followed with an RBI groundout to pull the Tigers within four, but the comeback attempt came up short.
 
The Tigers were paced offensively by Pryce Jackson and Blake Seefeldt, who each went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Jackson also scored twice. Logan Jeske added a hit, an RBI, and a run scored, and Joey Allen delivered an RBI double in the ninth inning.
 
ECU used six pitchers on the day, with Tagen Conary getting the start and tossing 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Jakob Brandenberger followed for 2.0 innings and was charged with the loss after surrendering two runs. Simon Baker added an inning of relief, while Easton Riddle struck out one and did not allow an earned run in his inning. Evan Groh and Jagger Green each pitched an inning to close out the game.