HOBBS, N.M. – Wayland Baptist shined in its final tune-up prior to the start of Sooner Athletic Conference play, rolling over a 13-2 University of the Southwest team on Tuesday afternoon, 18-4.
The Pioneers (13-3) led 13-1 after four innings, then cruised over the final five innings, scoring three in the seventh and two in the ninth. WBU ended with 14 hits, with No. 9-hole hitter
Justin Porter providing three along with three runs and two RBIs.
Tyler Latham,
Jack Kolich,
Arturo Disla and
Jake Green recorded two hits each. Green powered a solo home run, his team-high sixth of the year.
WBU put six pitchers on the mound, with starter
Garrett McClain picking up the win after throwing three innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits with three strikeouts.
Of his team's impressive starter, first-year WBU coach
Todd Weldon is encouraged.
"We have played well thus far. We are learning who we are as a team and working toward playing that kind of baseball. The team has a lot of fight, and even in the games we have been down there is a quiet confidence that we will work into it and give ourselves a chance to win.
"We still have some things to clean up in order to achieve what we plan to achieve as a team this year, but I have full confidence we will make those strides. This team is always asking questions to become a better version of themselves so we can be a better team.
The Pioneers travel to Oklahoma City to take on the No. 20 Stars (13-1). OCU owns the SAC's best non-conference record, followed by the Pioneers.
WBU and OCU play a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Friday then a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday.
"We will continue to be who we are as a team and play our game as we enter into conference play," Weldon said. "Nothing changes."
