PLAINVIEW --- The Wayland Baptist Pioneers rallied late to secure an 8–7 comeback victory over College of the Ozarks on Saturday afternoon in Plainview, overcoming a three-run deficit with a decisive eighth inning. The Pioneers secured the series victory after taking two of three from the Bobcats.
Wayland Baptist improved to 18-8 on the season (6-3 SAC) after scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead for good in a back-and-forth contest.
The Pioneers struck first in the opening inning when
Adonis Bernal delivered an RBI single that brought home
Cesar Ibarra, giving Wayland Baptist an early 1–0 lead.
The Bobcats answered with runs in the second and third innings to move ahead 3–1, but Wayland Baptist quickly responded. In the bottom of the third,
Sebastian Bravo drove in two runs with a single to left field, tying the game at 3–3.
The visitors created separation in the fifth inning with a three-run frame, taking a 6–3 advantage. Wayland Baptist chipped away in the seventh inning as
Christian Toledo doubled to score
Rafaeleduardo Garcia, and Bernal followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6–5.
After the Bobcats added a run in the top of the eighth, the Pioneers produced the game's decisive rally in the bottom half. Garcia sparked the inning with an RBI double before scoring on a balk to tie the game. Moments later, Toledo delivered another clutch extra-base hit, doubling to right-center to drive in the go-ahead run and give Wayland Baptist an 8–7 lead.
On the mound,
Collin Arnold earned the victory for the Pioneers after working 1.1 innings in relief, allowing one run while striking out one.
Christian Toledo closed the door in the ninth to record his first save of the season.
Offensively, Wayland Baptist totaled 14 hits in the win. Garcia led the charge with a 3-for-4 performance, three runs scored, and an RBI, while Ibarra also collected three hits and two runs scored. Toledo finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, and Bernal added three hits and two RBIs. Bravo contributed two RBIs, and the Pioneers used aggressive baserunning with multiple stolen bases to generate offense throughout the game.
The Pioneers' bullpen proved crucial in the comeback effort. After starter
Tate House allowed six runs (four earned) over 4.2 innings,
Caden Terry stabilized the game with 2.1 scoreless innings before Arnold and Toledo combined to finish the victory.
The Pioneers will return to the diamond on Friday, March 13
th, when they travel to McPherson, Kansas for a three-game set against Central Christian. The two teams will open the series with a doubleheader, and Game One will begin at 2:00 PM.
