MONTICELLO, Ark. – The East Central University baseball team opened a key Great American Conference road series on Thursday in Arkansas, but couldn't slow down the conference-leading Arkansas-Monticello offense, falling 8-1.
 
The loss brings an end to ECU's 10-game winning streak as the Tigers look to regroup heading into Friday's doubleheader.
 
Arkansas-Monticello struck early with a first-inning solo home run before adding two more runs in the second to take a 3-0 lead. The Boll Weevils extended the advantage with a solo home run in the fourth and continued to add insurance throughout the late innings.
 
ECU broke through in the fourth inning when Pryce Jackson delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring Ryan Strickland to cut into the deficit. However, that would be the Tigers' lone run of the night.
 
Arkansas-Monticello responded with consistent offense over the final innings, pulling away late to secure the series-opening win.
 
ECU was limited to just two hits on the night, with Pryce Jackson providing the lone RBI on a 1-for-3 performance. Ryan Strickland also recorded a hit and scored the Tigers' only run, while the remainder of the lineup was held without a hit in the series opener.
 
ECU used five pitchers on the night, with Simon Baker taking the loss after allowing three runs over 2.0 innings of work. Joel Hogan followed with 3.0 innings, giving up two runs while striking out four. Caleb Ebert allowed one run in 0.2 innings, and Zane Wilson worked 1.1 innings, striking out three while allowing two runs (one earned). Cameron Ebert closed out the game with a scoreless final inning, striking out two and allowing just one hit.