Box Score BELTON, Texas (May 12, 2016) – Oklahoma Christian's success against the top baseball teams in the South Central Region continued on Thursday night, in no small part due to the Eagles' No. 1 pitcher, Brennan Walker.

The senior right-hander scattered five hits in seven-plus innings and relievers Dylon Sturges and Jake Moore finished the game off as OC beat No. 13-ranked – and second-seeded – Lubbock Christian (Texas) 4-1 at Red Murff Field. It was OC's third win over the Chaparrals in four meetings this season.

Third-seeded OC (29-20) advanced to the four-team tournament's winner's bracket final on Friday at 3:30 p.m. against No. 5-ranked – and top-seeded – St. Edward's (Texas). The Hilltoppers are 41-10 and have won 10 straight and 17 of their last 18 games, but dropped two of three to OC in Oklahoma City earlier this season.

OC now is 8-2 this season against the teams ranked in this week's top four in the South Central Region rankings, but the Eagles likely will need to win the conference tournament to secure a spot in next week's regional tournament.

Lubbock Christian (35-16) will play St. Mary's (Texas) – a 9-8 loser to St. Edward's on Thursday – in an elimination game before the OC-St. Edward's game. The Lubbock Christian-St. Mary's winner will play the OC-St. Edward's loser in another elimination game on Friday night.

Against Lubbock Christian, Walker (7-1) pitched into the eighth inning, the longest outing of his career, and allowed only one run. As is his habit, he relied on his defense and the Eagles came through in the field, committing only one error.

"Brennan did a great job," OC coach Lonny Cobble said. "He stayed out of trouble and then Sturges and Moore came in and held serve. That was big, as we did not have to extend our bullpen much."

The Eagles took an early 3-0 lead, scoring once in each of the first three innings against Lubbock Christian starter Guillaume Blanchette (11-2), the Heartland's pitcher of the year.

Alex Polston doubled down the left-field line to start the game and scored on Derek Jones' single up the middle in the first inning. In the second, Jared Sterling doubled to right-center field and eventually scored on a groundout by Zac Cobble.

OC made it 3-0 in the third when Jones singled to right field, went to second base on a balk and scored on a single by Jake Baxter.

"Polston and Jones set the tempo at the plate early for us and got us off to a great start," Cobble said.

Walker wriggled out of several jams. A double play ended a two-on, one-out threat by the Chaparrals in the first inning. Lubbock Christian loaded the bases with two outs in the third, but Chase Simmons lined out to center field. In the sixth, the Chaparrals had two runners on with one out, but Walker retired Brent Stewart on a popup and Brett Wilhelm on a fly ball.

OC extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the eighth, with Austin Orth singling home Ben McKenzie, who had reached on an error. The Chaparrals scored their only run in the eighth, as Brandon Rix doubled to lead off and pinch-runner Josh Narvaiz eventually scored on a double by Simmons.

Sturges quickly recorded two outs in the ninth before giving up an infield single to Brandon Urquizo and a walk to Jaime Bustamante, but Moore came in to strike out Narvaiz on three pitches to end the game and record his fourth save.

Postgame interviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOjFJLd2fDu4ggn2YHi_qyw