SHAWNEE – Ninth-ranked (NCBWA) Southern Arkansas won a close one over Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday, earning a 3-1 victory in Great American Conference play at Bobby Cox Field.
The pitching and defense on this day was superb by both teams.
For the Bison,
Brek Galbreath notched a career-high 13 strikeouts. After giving up three runs through the first two innings, Galbreath turned the heat up on SAU. Starting in the third, he retired 17 of 18 batters until he was relieved late in the top of the ninth.
In that time, he struck out eight, induced a few foul-ball outs and saw his defense come up with several line outs.
SAU's Wyatt Marr did his part, too. In the first three frames, he didn't allow a single Bison to reach scoring position. In that time, his teammates helped get the needed run support.
After plating a run in the first, the visitors got an RBI sac fly from Brett McGee and two-out RBI double from Brandon Nicoll in the second.
Down 3-0, the green and gold got a run back in the fourth. A lead-off triple by
Dan Pruitt was followed up by a run-scoring groundout by
Alex Schroeder. An inning later, the Bison nearly scored a few more.
Trey Furrey,
Cade Kissel and
Isiah Lissade all reached. With one out,
Jose Parga then lined a shot back up the middle. Unfortunately, an unreal snag by Marr, and subsequent throw to third helped turn a massive double play for the Muleriders.
After that sequence, the Bison never reached scoring position again.
Next on the schedule is a non-conference date at Central Oklahoma on April 19 at 5 p.m.
