CANYON, Texas - Trailing by nine runs with four innings to play, Oklahoma Christian used an eight-run sixth and a five-run ninth to shock (RV) West Texas A&M in game one of the series Friday, evening, 14-11.

Tim Malone (1-1) picked up his first win of the season on the mound while Evan Ballast claimed his fourth save of the season - the most saves by an Eagle in a single season since 2021 (Noah Bates, 5).

Ruben Castro (2-for-5), Connor Sanderson (2-for-5), Tanner Forbus (2-for-3) and Hunter Sandifer (2-for-5) each recorded two hits in the comeback victory, with Sanderson and Sandifer each also recording two RBI.

Oklahoma Christian was held to just one hit through the first five innings, resulting in one run as Sanderson delivered his second home run of the season in the fifth frame to put the Eagles on the board. With two homers of its own, however, West Texas A&M held a 10-1 lead with four innings to play.

As the Buffs were nearing run-rule territory, the tides turned in the sixth inning. After scoring four runs to cut WT's lead to five, Sandifer and pinch-hitter Justin Spencer recorded back-to-back two-out, two-RBI hits to come within one of the Buffs, 10-9.

Malone entered the game in the seventh and kept OC within one run, allowing just two hits in his two scoreless innings of work. Oklahoma Christian's offense did not waste Malone's efforts, finding one last surge with a five-run ninth to see its first lead of the game, 14-10. Following a lead-off ground-out, OC used a pair of hits and two West Texas errors for the unlikely lead.

 The game-tying run came to the plate for the Buffs in the bottom of the ninth with two outs still to work with. Ballast issued a back-to-back pop-up and ground-out to clinch the unprecedented game-one victory.

Oklahoma Christian (9-18, 9-18 LSC) will return to Wilder Park for games two and three Saturday, Mar. 21 beginning at 2 p.m.