The Southwestern Christian University baseball team opened Sooner Athletic Conference play with a three-game road series against Mid-America Christian in Oklahoma City, finishing the weekend 1-2 in a competitive first conference matchup of the season.
Game 1: Early Power Not Enough in 6-5 Loss
The Eagles jumped out quickly in Friday's opener. In the top of the first, Aiden O'Malley launched a three-run home run to right-center, scoring Nick Anderson and Robert Florenzan to give SCU a 3-0 lead.
SCU added to its advantage in the third when Diego Paredes homered to right-center, followed by a solo shot from Daniel Ornelas to make it 5-0.
Frank Morel was sharp early on the mound, striking out nine over six innings. However, MACU chipped away with a three-run homer in the third and a solo home run in the sixth. The Evangels took the lead in the seventh on a two-run homer, capitalizing on a defensive miscue.
The Eagles threatened in the ninth after a single from Anderson, but a double play ended the rally in a 6-5 loss.
Game 2: Eagles Even the Series with 5-4 Win
SCU responded in Saturday's first game of the doubleheader with a 5-4 victory.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Eagles answered in the third when Florenzan crushed a two-run homer to left, scoring Anderson. In the sixth, Paredes delivered again with a solo home run to center to reclaim the lead.
SCU added insurance runs in the sixth as O'Malley singled and later scored on a MACU error. Blake Browning lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home another run, giving the Eagles a 5-2 cushion.
Manny Duarte worked five innings, allowing two runs while battling through seven walks. Bennett Tucker closed the door over the final two innings to secure the win and even the conference series.
Game 3: MACU Pulls Away in Series Finale
In the finale, SCU struck first with three runs in the opening inning. Paredes drew a walk before O'Malley reached on an error. A dropped fly ball allowed two runs to score, and Ornelas doubled down the left-field line to push the lead to 3-0.
MACU answered with two runs in the third before erupting for four runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth. Despite hits from Anderson, Browning, and Ornelas, the Eagles were unable to regain momentum in an 11-3 loss.
Series Notes
Paredes homered twice during the series and consistently sparked the offense, while Florenzan and O'Malley each delivered key home runs. Ornelas added timely extra-base hits and handled duties behind the plate throughout the weekend.
On the mound, Morel's nine-strikeout performance highlighted the staff's effort, and Tucker's relief outing secured the Eagles' lone conference victory of the series.
Southwestern Christian now moves forward in conference play looking to build on the offensive power displayed in the opening weekend of SAC competition.
