Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The Pioneers took the lead over 22
nd ranked Mid-American Christian University (Okla.) late in the game, but they were unable to hold on as the Evangels took the final game of this 3-game series, 8-5.
Wayland Baptist found themselves in a pickle early on as the Evangels scored three first inning runs after an RBI groundout and a two-run single. After two quiet innings offensively for the Pioneers, the bats woke up in the top of the 3
rd.
Brayden Peyton hit a leadoff single, and his pinch runner,
Vann Johnson, advanced to third after a
Riley Watson base hit to right.
Felix Polanco followed later in the inning with a two-run single to make it 3-2, MACU.
MACU took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the 6
th after a balk brought an Evangel runner in from third to score. After the Pioneers escaped a 6
th inning jam only trailing 4-2, Peyton crushed a two-run homer to right center, his 6
th home run this season, to tie the game up at 4. Watson then followed with a single to left center field, and he was able to advance to third after a walk and a wild pitch. Watson then scored on another Evangel wild pitch to give the Pioneers a 5-4 lead heading to the bottom of the 7
th.
The Evangels answered immediately with a two-run home run and an RBI single to take a 7-5 lead into the 8
th inning. The Pioneers went down 1-2-3 in the 8
th, and MACU followed that up with a leadoff home run in their half of the 8
th to take an 8-5 lead. The Pioneers went down 1-2-3 again in the 9
th and suffered an 8-5 defeat in the final game of the series.
Nathan Baca got the start for the Pioneers, and he pitched 5.1 innings, allowed 4 runs, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Baca is now sporting a 2.14 ERA on the season.
Grayson Soukup completed the 6
th inning for the Pioneers allowing one earned run and a hit in his 0.2 inning of work.
Wellington Vargas threw two innings in relief, allowing two runs, one walk, and 4 strikeouts.
Peyton finished 2-4 from the plate with a two-run home run and a single. Watson finished 2-4 with two singles, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Polanco went 1-4 with two RBIs out of the leadoff spot.
The Pioneers will get set to host their final Sooner Athletic Conference home series of the season as they will take on the University of Science and Arts (Okla.). They will square off in a doubleheader on Friday with first pitch of game one set for 2:00 PM. The single game on Saturday will take place at 1:00 PM, but the Pioneers will recognize their seniors with a ceremony set to begin at 12:30 PM.
