Pioneer Rally Comes Up Short, Fall 6-5 in Series Finale at #18 MACU

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Wayland Baptist Pioneers battled back from an early deficit and mounted a late push but ultimately came up just short in a 6-5 loss to #18 Mid-America Christian on Friday afternoon at MACU Baseball Field, securing the three-game sweep for the Evangels.

Wayland Baptist (26-14) outhit MACU 10-7 and showed resilience throughout, but a decisive five-run fifth inning by the Evangels proved to be the difference.

MACU struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on an early opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers responded in the fifth inning when Sinclair Pimentel ignited the offense with a solo home run to right-center, tying the game at 1-1. Later in the frame, Ben Kasparie delivered a clutch RBI single to give Wayland Baptist a 2-1 advantage.

The momentum quickly shifted in the bottom half of the fifth. Mid-America Christian used timely hitting and took advantage of defensive miscues to score five runs—only two of which were earned—jumping ahead 6-2.

Despite the setback, the Pioneers continued to fight. In the sixth inning, Christian Toledo drove in a run with a single to cut into the deficit. Wayland Baptist then made things interesting in the seventh when Raphael Beltre launched a two-run home run to right field, pulling the Pioneers within one at 6-5.

Wayland Baptist had opportunities late, recording hits in both the eighth and ninth innings, but were unable to bring the tying run across.

Beltre led the offensive effort, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Pimentel added a homer of his own, while Kasparie and Toledo each drove in runs. Kanade Honda provided a spark off the bench, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

On the mound, Tate House (2-3) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) over four innings while striking out three. Collin Arnold delivered a strong relief appearance, tossing four scoreless innings and allowing just two hits to keep the Pioneers within striking distance.

Defensively, three errors proved costly for Wayland Baptist, contributing to multiple unearned runs in the pivotal fifth inning.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back as they host their final Sooner Athletic Conference home series next weekend against Southwestern Christian. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, April 10^th, with game one beginning at 3:00 PM.