HOT SPRINGS, Ar. — Pittsburg, Texas, graduate Brett McGee smashed two home runs and a single Saturday at Majestic Park to lead seventh-ranked Southern Arkansas past Arkansas Tech, 17-2, in first round of the Great American Conference Baseball Tournament.
The Muleriders (38-11) had several standouts, including former Texas High star Chris Lyles, who banged out a double and two singles to drive home three runs. Sophomore Chris Sutton, another Texas High graduate, drove in two runs with long sacrifice flies. Sutton also play outstanding defense at second, including a spectacular diving stop in the ninth inning.
Brandon Nicoll hit a home run for SAU.
SAU ace silences Arkansas Tech
Freshman sensation Jeremy Adorno improved to 14-0 on the mound. He allowed two hits, two runs, with five strikeouts in eight innings.
SAU draws Ouachita Baptist in the second round Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The Tigers advanced with an 8-7 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma. Cooper Timmons improved to 8-3 on the year. Cade Burris drove in two runs with a home run. Dustin Bermudez had two singles.
The best game of the day was a pitcher’s duel between Henderson and UA-Monticello, which the Reddies won 2-1 with a run in the bottom of the ninth. Andrew Howard (5-3) was the winning pitcher for Henderson. Colton Patterson scored the winning run on Luke Farrar’s single to left. Greyson Stevens led the Reddies with two singles.
Henderson plays Oklahoma Baptist at 12:40 p.m., with Arkansas Tech facing Southeastern Oklahoma at 3:50 p.m.
In Saturday’s late game Oklahoma Baptist defeated Harding University, 6-2.