DURANT, Okla. – The East Central University baseball punched its ticket to the postseason in dramatic fashion Friday night, rallying late to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State, 7-6 in 10 innings, in the opener of the final Great American Conference series of the regular season. It was a total team effort for the Tigers, who not only secured a spot in the GAC Tournament in Hot Springs for the first time since 2016, but also recorded their first 20-win season since 2015.
 
ECU struck first in the second inning when Cooper McCage doubled to left field to bring home the game's opening run. Southeastern answered in the bottom half and gradually built a lead, highlighted by a solo home run in the third and a three-run blast in the seventh to take a 5-1 advantage. The Savage Storm added another run in the eighth, stretching the lead to 6-1 and putting the Tigers in a tough spot heading into the final inning.
 
Down to their last outs, ECU refused to back down. The Tigers began their ninth-inning rally with a sacrifice fly from Logan Jeske, followed by a wild pitch that allowed another run to score, trimming the deficit to 6-3. Moments later, Cole Tracy delivered the biggest swing of the night, launching a three-run home run to left field to tie the game at 6-6 and send it into extra innings.
 
Carrying that momentum into the 10th, ECU wasted no time capitalizing. Jeske came through again, delivering an RBI single to bring home the go-ahead run and give the Tigers a 7-6 lead. The ECU pitching staff then shut the door in the bottom half, securing the comeback victory.
 
Cole Tracey led with the game-tying three-run home run. Logan Jeske and Cooper McCage each drove in a run, while Trace Necessary added a hit off the bench. The Tigers also saw hits from Tyler Akers, Donovan Noble, Ryan Strickland, Pryce Jackson, Mason Shimkus, and McCage as part of a total team effort at the plate.
 
Ryan Dembroski got the start, striking out seven over 4.0 innings while allowing two runs. Out of the bullpen, Andrew Black logged two innings, while Blake Seefeldt and Zane Wilson added an inning of work. Evan Groh earned the win in relief, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings to close out the extra-inning victory.
 
The win showcased the Tigers' resilience and depth as they continue to build momentum at the perfect time of the season. ECU will look to secure the series on Saturday with a doubleheader set to begin at noon.