Seibert's 5-hit shutout helps WBU to doubleheader split with MACU

Branin Seibert pitched a five-hit shutout as Wayland Baptist blanked Sooner Athletic Conference leader Mid-America Christian in the second game of a doubleheader Friday at Wilder Field, 2-0. The Pioneers came up with a late rally to force extra innings in the first game before the Evangels, ranked the equivalent of 39^th in the NAIA, made off with a 13-7, nine-inning win.

Wayland (23-13, 8-6 SAC) and MACU (30-9, 12-5) meet in the rubber game beginning at noon Saturday.

In Friday's second game, which lasted just over 1½ hours, Seibert recorded his first career shutout, allowing just five hits while striking out three and walking none.

Seibert gave up just two hits through six innings before scrambling for the final three outs of the game. In the seventh, MACU's first two batters singled. After a strikeout, an error allowed the Evangels to load the bases. But the Pioneers turned a game-ending double-play as third baseman Delvis Claudio field a hot grounder, stepped on third then fired to first to secure the win.

It was the second complete game of the season for the freshman left-hander from California, who about a month ago tossed a six-hitter in a 20-3 win over last-place Central Christian (Kan.).

Wayland scored both of its runs in the second inning. Designated hitter Matthew Unangst hit a one-out double down the right-field line before Justin Porter walked. That brought up the top of the line-up, left-fielder Caleb Rozier, who drove in both runs with a single through the left side.

The Pioneers almost pulled out a comeback win in the opener, which saw Wayland score four in the fourth when Cooper Jauz, Unangst and Porter – who hit a solo homer in the third to snap MACU junior Isaac Baez's program record 24-game scoreless innings streak – hit back-to-back-to-back doubles prior to a two-run homer by Rozier.

MACU plated five runs (three earned) over its next three at-bats to own a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh, but Wayland staged a two-out rally to tie it. Hayden Ingram and fill-in first baseman Hans Doughtie got the comeback started with consecutive singles before catcher Jake Green ran out an RBI-single to third. Finally, Claudio came up clutch with a game-tying double down the left-field line.

Both teams got runners to second in the eighth but couldn't score, then in the ninth the Evangels exploded for six runs on four hits, starting with an inning-opening double, the first of three in the frame.

WBU starter Ty Jackson lasted seven innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Garrett McClain (2-4) took the loss.

Porter went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Green, Claudio and Jauz had two hits apiece.