In the opening game of a three-game series against Mid-America Christian University, Tanner – a senior right-hander from Phoenix, Ariz. – turned in what coach Brad Bass called “possibly the best game of his life.” Tanner spent 10 innings on the mound, throwing 153 pitches and allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out 12 and walking just two. The dozen strikeouts were one short of Tanner’s career-high.
“I don’t remember a hard-hit ball,” Bass said. “They scored a couple of runs but it was really mistakes. He struck out quite a few guys, and I had the feeling he threw every pitch where he wanted.”
Tanner is a Sooner Athletic Conference and NAIA Scholar-Athlete. He was named WBU’s MVP in 2019 and All-SAC Golden Glove Pitcher as a freshman.