Baseball | 5/8/2021 11:52:00 AM

CHICKASHA, OKLA – The Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggie Baseball team season came to an end this Friday, May 7, 2021 while competing in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament. The SAC tournament comprised of the top 8 teams in the conference competing for the title, and eliminations were made after two losses. 
 
In the first round, the Aggies, ranked #8 in the tournament were matched up against conference opponent #1 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO). USAO is currently ranked #11 in the nation, and the Aggies were prepared for a battle of the bats. 
 
USAO came out of the gates swinging and putting players in scoring positions. It was not until the top of the 4^th inning that the Aggies appeared on the score board. Markus Bracey homered over the left field fence on a 1-2 count to begin the momentum. Top of the 5^th, Aggies were able to get on base, led by Zack Madrigal with a single to right-center. Mekhi Edwards, hit by pitch, advanced Madrigal for the Aggies. Next up, Ethan Hunt reached on a walk, advancing the Aggies, and allowed Madrigal to score. Aggies were able to regain momentum at the Top of the 6^th inning, able to produce 3 runs, 1 hit and 0 errors. However, USAO's offense was too much for the Aggies, taking the win 16-5. 
 
Key batters for the Aggies were Bracey hitting .750, 1 Run and 2 RBIs. Madrigal was connecting well with 2 for 2, bringing 1 run in for the Aggies. 
 
In the second game of tournament play, the Aggies competed against Southwestern Christian University (SCU), Eagles. The game started out as a pitcher's game, as both teams remained scoreless for the first 3 innings. Each team was able to get on base but, not able to cross the plate. 
 
It was not until the 4^th inning when each team was able to score; however, by the top of the 5^th inning, the game was tied up 2-2. SCU hitters caught fire in the 5^th inning, able to score 8 runs pushing the lead away from the Aggies. However, the Aggies did not stop fighting, as they were able to score 3 runs in the bottom of the 5^th, 1 run in the bottom of the 6^th inning and, 2 runs in the bottom of the 8^th inning. While the Aggies were able to produce runs in those innings, the Aggies defense was also unstoppable. The Eagles were unable to bring anyone across the plate.  The game was tight, Aggies 8 to Eagles 10, going into the 9^th inning. Despite the great push by the Aggies, the curtains came to a close tonight, as the Eagles were able to prevail with the win 11-8. 
 
Key batters for the Aggies were Bracey hitting .400 on the night, had 2 runs and 3 RBI's. Ethan Hunt hitting .500, had 2 runs and 1 RBI. Jonathan Applebury hitting .200, had 1 run and 2 RBI's. Jose Santiago hitting .400 and 1 RBI. Edwards hitting .750 and brought 3 runs in for the Aggies.