BETHANY, Okla. – The East Central University baseball team continued its offensive surge Thursday afternoon, defeating Great American Conference opponent Southern Nazarene University, 16-13, in a high-scoring series opener.
 
With the win, the Tigers improve to 13-20 overall and pick up their 10th conference victory of the season, while the Crimson Storm fall to 6-28. The two teams will meet again for a doubleheader Friday to decide the series.
 
ECU wasted no time settling in defensively, turning a double play behind starting pitcher Ryan Dembroski in a scoreless first inning.
 
The Tigers broke through in the second, as Ryan Strickland launched a solo home run to left field to give ECU a 1-0 lead. The Tigers continued to apply pressure with hits from Joey Allen, Logan Jeske, and Mason Shimkus, though they were limited to just one run in the frame.
 
Southern Nazarene answered with a run of its own in the second before both teams traded runs through the next inning. Tyler Akers showcased his speed in the third, reaching on a bunt, advancing on an error, and eventually scoring to keep ECU in front. A Crimson Storm home run later tied the game at 2-2.
 
The Tigers regained momentum in the fourth, as Pryce Jackson doubled and later scored on a base hit from Jeske. Dembroski continued to settle in on the mound, holding SNU scoreless in the inning.
 
ECU extended its lead in the fifth, capitalizing on a walk and timely hitting. Max Tremblay delivered an RBI double to plate Cooper McCage, giving the Tigers a 4-2 advantage heading into the sixth.
 
The Tigers added to their lead again with strong situational hitting, highlighted by extra-base production from Jackson and consistent contact at the plate.
 
Southern Nazarene surged ahead in the seventh inning, plating six runs to take its first lead of the game at 8-6 after a series of walks and timely hits.
 
ECU responded immediately with a decisive seven-run inning. Jackson sparked the rally, while Shimkus, McCage, and Akers all reached base to keep the pressure on. A bases-loaded double from Jackson cleared the bases and put ECU back in front.
 
The Tigers added three more runs in the ninth, with RBI contributions from Shimkus, Tremblay, and Akers extending the lead to 16-10.
 
The Crimson Storm made one final push with a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth, but ECU held on for the 16-13 victory.
 
ECU's offense was powered by several standout performances at the plate, led by Pryce Jackson and Max Tremblay, who each drove in four runs. Jackson finished with four hits, while Tremblay added three hits in the win. Logan Jeske contributed a three-hit, two-RBI performance, while Ryan Strickland tallied two hits and two RBIs, including a home run. Tyler Akers added two hits and an RBI with three runs scored, and Joey Allen recorded two hits and an RBI. Donovan Noble also drove in a run, while Mason Shimkus chipped in two hits in the effort.
 
On the mound, Ryan Dembroski delivered a strong start, working six innings while allowing just two runs on three hits and striking out three. Blake Seefeldt earned the win in relief, while Easton Riddle picked up the save to close out the victory. Out of the bullpen, Andrew Black and Riddle helped limit the damage late as the Tigers held on for the win.