Vaughn’s Big Day Helps Tech Win Series

It was another week and another Great American Conference baseball series win for Arkansas Tech University.

The Wonder Boys (23-13 overall, 16-8 GAC) took 2-of-3 games from Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Sunday and Monday in Durant, Okla.

It was the seventh consecutive GAC series victory for Tech, which is in sole possession of fourth place in the league standings with three regular season conference series remaining.

Arkansas Tech is scheduled to host the University of Arkansas-Monticello for a three-game GAC series at Tech Field in Russellville on Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday.

Live coverage will be available on KARV 101.3 FM/610 AM and www.arkansastechsports.com.

Game One: SOSU 6, Tech 0

Three Southeastern Oklahoma State pitchers combined for the shutout in a 6-0 Savage Storm victory against Arkansas Tech in game one of the series on Sunday.

SOSU starter Cody Nitson (3-3) scattered seven hits over seven innings before giving way to Jake Patterson, who allowed two hits in one inning of relief. Hayden Grimes recorded the final three outs for the Savage Storm.

Southeastern’s Brett Akins was 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs batted in.

Shane Pollard and Cody Wescott had two hits apiece for the Wonder Boys.

Game Two: Tech 16, SOSU 3

Mark Vaughn went 4-for-5 with three home runs and five RBIs to lead Arkansas Tech to a mercy rule-shortened 16-3 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State in game one of a Monday doubleheader.

Vaughn smashed a two-run home run in the fourth inning, a solo shot in the fifth and another two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Riley Hickerson and Michael Post also homered for the Wonder Boys.

Hayes Cox (6-2) went the distance on the mound for Tech. He allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings.

Game Three: Tech 10, SOSU 8

Arkansas Tech battled back from a six-run deficit to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State 10-8 in the rubber match of the series on Monday afternoon.

The Savage Storm struck for six runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Wonder Boys chipped away, and at the end of the scheduled seven innings the score was tied 7-7.

Vaughn gave Arkansas Tech an 8-7 lead on an RBI single in the top of the eighth. Wescott followed with an RBI double, and a Southeastern Oklahoma State error allowed the Wonder Boys to increase their lead to 10-7.

The Savage Storm pushed one run across in the last of the eighth, but Arkansas Tech reliever Nolan Withrow got a game-ending strikeout to stand the tying run on base. It was Withrow’s fourth save of the season.

Jared Droll (2-1) allowed one run on four hits over three innings of relief to earn the win.

Vaughn was 4-for-4 with three runs scored.