Bison Baseball Improves To 30-0

Top-ranked Oklahoma Baptist defeated No. 11 Oklahoma City 5-4 on a go-ahead two RBI double from Yariel Gonzalez in the bottom of the eighth inning at Bison Field at Ford Park.

The Bison defeated their Sooner Athletic Conference rival to remain unbeaten at 30-0 and 9-0 in conference play, extending the baseball program records for most consecutive wins and best start to a season.

After the Stars (25-7, 8-2 SAC) scored two runs in the top of the second to take a lead, OBU answered with two runs in the third to even the score.

Keach Ballard brought home Felipe Gonzalez for the first Bison run of the game, and Tyler Melton scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.

Right-handed pitcher Kelvin Rivas allowed just one hit from the third through the sixth innings, striking out seven batters over the span. Rivas started for the Bison, but did not factor into the decision after throwing 121 pitches.

OCU took a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning, scoring one run on three consecutive hits.

Rivas left after 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out 10 batters.

Nathan Thompson came on in relief for the Bison, pitching 0.2 hitless innings, but giving up one earned run after issuing a walk.

Les Northcutt closed out the eighth inning, allowing one hit, as OCU took a 4-2 lead.

Landon Coon doubled to lead off the home half of the eighth, and came around to score on a wild pitch with one out to cut the deficit to one run.

With bases loaded and two outs later in the inning, Yariel doubled to center field to score Melton and Jeff Ricker and give the Bison their first lead of the game at 5-4.

Kyle Fimbrez picked up his sixth save of the season with a scoreless ninth, getting one strike out in the process. Northcutt was credited with the win to improve to 3-0.

Yariel finished three-for-five with two RBI for the game, Coon was three-for-four with two doubles, and Melton scored two runs in the Bison victory.

OBU will play game two of the three-game series with the Stars on the road in Oklahoma City this Friday, March 27, at 6 p.m.