ADA, Okla. – The East Central University baseball team battled through a back-and-forth contest Tuesday afternoon, walking off Newman University in thrilling fashion, 12-11, at Ken Turner Field to extend its winning streak to seven games.
 
It wasn't the cleanest outing, but the Tigers found a way when it mattered most, continuing to build momentum heading into their final Great American Conference home series against Southern Arkansas University on April 10-11.
 
ECU answered an early Newman run in the first inning, as Joey Allen delivered an RBI single before Christian Fernandez ripped a two-RBI triple to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead.
 
The Tigers continued to apply pressure in the second. Donovan Noble drove in a run with a single, followed by a sacrifice fly from Trace Necessary and an RBI double from Ryan Strickland to extend the lead to 6-3.
 
Newman responded with a four-run fifth inning to take a 7-6 advantage, but ECU quickly answered. A bases-loaded RBI walk from DeAngelo Morales tied the game before Tyler Akers delivered a two-RBI single to put the Tigers back in front, 9-7.
 
The momentum continued into the sixth as Fernandez added a sacrifice fly and ECU took advantage of a defensive miscue to push the lead to 11-8.
 
However, the Jets refused to go away, scoring once in the seventh and plating two runs in the eighth to even the game at 11-11 and set up a dramatic finish.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, ECU delivered the final blow. Akers sparked the rally, and Necessary came through in the clutch with a walk-off RBI single to center field, scoring the winning run and sealing the 12-11 victory for the Tigers.
 
Christian Fernandez led the way, going 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs, a sacrifice fly, a sacrifice hit, and a walk. Tyler Akers added 2 hits and 2 RBIs, Joey Allen went 3-for-5 with an RBI, Donovan Noble contributed 2 hits and an RBI, and Ryan Strickland chipped in 2 hits and an RBI. Trace Necessary also added a key 1-for-4 performance with 2 RBIs, helping the Tigers stay in front in a back-and-forth affair.
 
The ECU pitching staff featured Carson Padgett, Greyson Christian, Trace McDaniels, Caleb Ebert, Cooper Ewing, Easton Riddle, Jagger Green, Jakob Brandenberger, Drew Sheppard, Zane Wilson, and Evan Groh, all taking the mound during the thrilling walk-off victory. Trace McDaniels, Caleb Ebert, and Zane Wilson delivered scoreless innings, while Evan Groh secured the win, striking out three batters in the final frame to close out the game.