Joplin, MO | SAC Championship Tournament - The No. 5 seed Nelson University Lions stepped into the SAC Semifinals ready for a fight and that's exactly what they got.
In a gritty, emotional doubleheader at Joe Becker Stadium, the Lions went toe-to-toe with No. 4 Texas Wesleyan in a marathon opener before bouncing back with resilience in an elimination showdown later in the day to keep their championship hopes alive.
Game 1 — Texas Wesleyan 4, Nelson 3 (11 innings)
This one had everything.
Pitching duels. Late-inning drama. Extra innings.
Nelson struck first with a two-run sixth inning, capitalizing on pressure and execution to take control. The Lions added another in the ninth, stretching the lead to 3-0 and putting themselves just three outs away from a statement win.
But Texas Wesleyan answered.
A two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth flipped the game on its head, highlighted by a clutch three-run homer that tied things at 3-3 and sent the game into extras.
From there, both sides traded punches until the Rams finally walked it off in the 11th.
Despite the result, Nelson's effort was undeniable.
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Odnal Rivera led the charge with three hits
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The Lions pitching staff held a dangerous lineup in check for most of the day
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Nelson swiped bases and applied constant pressure, refusing to back down
It was a battle. And the Lions showed they belonged.
Game 2 — Nelson 4, Oklahoma City 2
Backs against the wall?
No problem.
Nelson responded like a team built for the moment.
After giving up an early run, the Lions answered immediately with a solo blast from Ethan Starks to even things up. Then came the decisive fifth inning—a three-run surge fueled by timely hitting and disciplined at-bats that flipped the momentum for good.
From there, the bullpen locked in.
Dylan Zajicek bridged the gap, and Cash Eckermann slammed the door with a dominant save performance, striking out four and securing the 4-2 victory.
The Lions weren't done yet. This is postseason baseball. You get knocked down. You respond.
Nelson showed belief battling through a heartbreaking extra-inning loss and turning right back around to earn a must-win victory. The Lions are still standing. And still roaring.
Next Up
- SAC Championship Tournament — Continue Play
- May 2 (Saturday)
- 4:00 PM
- Joe Becker Stadium (Joplin, MO)
- Opponent: TBA
Win and keep moving.
Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
