Arkansas Tech University moved into contention for a berth in the Great American Conference Tournament by sweeping a league baseball doubleheader from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Okla., on Saturday.
The Wonder Boys (19-27 overall, 11-19 GAC) defeated the Rangers 7-4 and 5-4 to move into a tie with Northwestern Oklahoma State for eighth place in the conference standings with one week remaining in the regular season.
Only the top eight teams in the final league standings will advance to the GAC Tournament. Arkansas Tech is attempting to make its seventh consecutive postseason baseball appearance.
The Wonder Boys will play their final 2016 regular season non-conference game on Tuesday, April 26, when they visit the University of Arkansas-Monticello for a 1 p.m. contest.
Game One: Tech 7, NWOSU 4
A pair of home runs keyed a 7-4 Arkansas Tech win over Northwestern Oklahoma State in game one on Saturday.
Josh Watkins hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to put the Wonder Boys in front for good at 2-1. Kaleb Warden added a three-run home run in the top of the sixth, followed shortly by a Blake King two-run single to make it 7-1.
That was more than enough run support for Zach Skelton, who went the distance on the mound for Arkansas Tech. Skelton (4-6) allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out a season-high 13 batters.
NWOSU starting pitcher Pat Delano (1-5) allowed seven runs, five of which were earned, on seven hits in six innings.
Game Two: Tech 5, NWOSU 4
A Northwestern Oklahoma State error allowed Arkansas Tech’s Seth Wheeler to score the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning in a 5-4 Wonder Boys’ victory in Saturday’s second game.
Branden Bohuslav (2-4) pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the 11th inning to give Arkansas Tech the win.
Warden and Wheeler had two base hits apiece for the Wonder Boys, while Marcus Wilson went 1-for-3 with a home run, three walks and three runs batted in.
NWOSU reliever Dakota Stanek (2-4) took the loss. He allowed one unearned run on three hits in one and two-thirds innings.
