A fast start offensively and Hayes Cox’s pitching pushed Arkansas Tech University to a 9-3 baseball victory over Southern Arkansas University on Saturday in the first round of the Great American Conference Tournament at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Okla.
The Wonder Boys (28-21) advance in the double elimination event to face Oklahoma Baptist University at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Live coverage will be available on www.arkansastechsports.com.
The Wonder Boys scored four runs in the top of the first inning on Saturday, and their lead was never challenged. Tech added one run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth and seventh innings to build an insurmountable 9-0 edge.
Cox (9-3) held the Muleriders scoreless for eight innings before surrendering two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. In all, he allowed five hits and recorded seven strikeouts. Isaac Hale came out of the Tech bullpen to get the final three outs.
Cody Wescott paced the Wonder Boys’ offensive attack by going 3-for-5 with a home run and four runs batted in. Michael Post was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Harry Gard went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Mark Vaughn notched two base hits and scored twice. Britt Stroth and Korey Thompson drove in one run apiece.
SAU starting pitcher Hunter Vasquez (6-4) allowed seven runs, four of which were earned, on nine hits over five and two-thirds innings.
