AUSTIN, Texas (March 15, 2021) – Relief pitcher Noah Bates coaxed a double-play ball from St. Edward's (Texas) at exactly the right time, and as a result, Oklahoma Christian is returning north on Interstate 35 with a hard-earned series sweep.

With the potential tying run on third base, Bates picked up the clinching outs on a ground ball by Jonathan Mendez, sealing a 7-6 win over the Hilltoppers on Monday afternoon at Lucian-Hamilton Field.

On what has to be considered one of the more satisfying days in recent OC baseball history, the Eagles not only recorded their first-ever road sweep of St. Edward's (4-8, 4-8 Lone Star Conference), they also extended their series winning streak against the Hilltoppers – long a top NCAA Division II program – to five games, all on the road. OC (8-5, 7-5) also has won five straight road games this season.

To top it off, the Eagles debuted Monday in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's South Central Region poll at No. 10 – a small step, but indicative of the team's success in recent weeks.

"That win was huge for us," OC coach Lonny Cobble said. "We have dropped some games this season that could have gone either way and today we won one of those."

Grant Lake's two-run single in the top of the second inning off St. Edward's starter Wesley Gafford (3-5) gave the Eagles the lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Hilltoppers scored once in the bottom of the second, but Tanner White smacked a two-run homer to right-center field in the top of the third to make it 4-1.

St. Edward's pulled within 4-3 on Jake Hahn's two-run double in the bottom of the third, but OC's Michael DiFiore hit his second home run of the series, a two-run shot to right field, in the fourth to put the Eagles up 6-3.

The Hilltoppers edged closer with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but OC added a key insurance run in the top of the eighth when Chance Westervelt drew a bases-loaded walk. St. Edward's again pulled within a run in the bottom of the eighth.

In the bottom of the ninth with one out, Cullen Ainsworth doubled to right-center field off Bates and Dylan Mackin followed with an infield single, giving the Hilltoppers two baserunners. But Mendez hit a ground ball to OC shortstop Kevin Collyar, who threw to Lake, the second baseman, to retire the lead runner, and Lake threw to DiFiore at first base to complete the double play.

The save was the second of the series, and season, for Bates. OC starter Julien Ly (2-1) picked up the pitching win, allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out six batters in 5 1/3 innings.

The Eagles will quickly turn around and visit local rival Central Oklahoma on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. nonconference game, then will host LSC (and Division II) power West Texas A&M for a three-game series that will start at 6 p.m. Friday.