Box Score Video OKLAHOMA CITY – Wayland Baptist scored seven runs in the first inning and went on to cruise to a 13-8 win over No. 22 Texas Wesleyan here Saturday afternoon as the No. 24 Pioneers moved into the driver's seat of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.
"Every game we win we get a little bit closer to getting to play in the first round (of nationals) and hopefully getting enough respect to move up in the (NAIA Top 25) and improve our chances," Wayland coach
Brad Bass said.
Wayland (43-14) next plays at noon Sunday against either Texas Wesleyan (38-16) or host Oklahoma City University (38-18), the team the Pioneers beat in their tournament opener on Friday, 8-6. The Rams and Stars met in an elimination game Saturday evening, with the winner advancing to play Wayland in the OCU Bracket finals. The Pioneers would have to lose twice Sunday not to advance to the tournament championship, set for 2 p.m. Monday against the winner of the Science and Arts of Oklahoma Bracket.
"We need to do everything we can do to win it," said Bass, obviously hungry for Wayland's first-ever SAC championship. "I want to see a dog-pile at the end of this."
Sunday's game(s) were moved ahead to noon and, if necessary, 3:30 p.m. due to impending inclement weather.
On Saturday against Texas Wesleyan, the only team that swept Wayland in a series this season, the Pioneers' offense exploded for 16 hits, three apiece by
Gregg Veneklasen and
Ernesto Lizardi.
Jake Doyle finished with two hits and five RBI, three coming on a home run in the sixth inning. Lizardi also homered, a two-run insurance shot in the top of the ninth.
Wayland set the tone early with its seventh-run first inning.
"You don't get that privilege very often, and to do it in this situation is even better," Bass said.
The first seven WBU batters got on base, starting with a walk by
Will Bass. Singles by
Brayden Blackwell and Veneklasen loaded the bases before a walk by Doyle forced in the first run.
Alex Mumm's double to left made it 3-0, then
Caleb Davidson and Lizardo hit back-to-back RBI-singles. Following the first Wayland out, another RBI-single by
Taylor Grady scored the sixth run. After courtesy runner
Aaron Vallance stole third, the top of the order came up again and Bass delivered an RBI-groundout for the seventh run.
"With that many runs in the first, you know guys were scrapping and playing hard and competing," Bass said.
The Pioneers gave almost all of their lead back, however, when the Rams scored six runs on four hits and the lone Wayland error of the afternoon in the second inning. Both teams scored once in the fourth, Wayland's run coming on an RBI-single by Doyle that plated Blackwell.
The Pioneers gave themselves some breathing room in the sixth when Blackwell and Veneklasen produced two-out singles ahead of Doyle's home run to left field.
"Jake came up big for us. He had two huge at-bats," Bass said. "Having him back in our line-up (he was out with an injury) gives all of us a lot of confidence. He's been good for us all year."
Starter
Jordie Henry (9-3) exited in the bottom of the sixth after giving up a solo home run, the last of eight runs (five earned) and eight hits off the sophomore right-hander who struck out one and walked three.
Logan Evans got Wayland out of that inning but got into trouble in the seventh when the Rams got three singles to load the bases with one out. Coach Bass handed the ball to
Jonathan Frost who induced an inning-ending 6-4-3 (Bass-to-Grady-to-Davidson) double play.
Frost allowed two harmless singles in the last two innings and earned his first save of the season.
"We jumped out early and dever gave up the lead," Bass said. "We let them back in it, but Jordie did a good enough job keeping them at a distance and got far enough in the game where we could take advantage of our bullpen. Both Logan and Frost did a great job."
Bass is confident this team has what it takes to win the conference tournament title.
"(Friday's) game was an attitude game. Every time City did something, we answered," the coach said. "Today, we told them we're doing this, and they did.
"I'm proud of the guys for competing and playing so hard and doing what they came to do."
"(Winning) would be really, really fun for all of us."
