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SHAWNEE, Okla. -- Top-ranked Oklahoma Baptist University extended its winning streak to 22 games as they posted a 4-0 win over No. 18 Bellevue University Wednesday afternoon in the NAIA Opening Round at Bison Field at Ford Park.
With the loss, Bellevue (38-16-2) will face an elimination game tonight at 6 p.m. against the winner between Northwestern (Iowa) and Bacone.
Oklahoma Baptist (52-6) advances to the championship game at noon tomorrow.
The Bison scored the game's first run on an RBI single to right field by Jeff Ricker in the bottom of the third inning.
A two-run triple by Garrett Gallacher extended OBU's lead to 3-0 in the fourth.
The Bruins' best opportunity to score came in the seventh inning after the first two batters reached base, but OBU starting pitcher Julian Merryweather was able to get the next three outs to preserve the three-run lead.
OBU added to its lead in the bottom half of the eighth on an RBI single by Kevin Hatch to take a 4-0 advantage.
Kyle Kinman took the loss and fell to 8-4 on the season. Kinman, the MCAC Pitcher of the Year, recorded 11 strikeouts.
Merryweather improved to 11-2 with the shutout win. He struck out 12 and scattered four hits in the complete game.
The Bison outhit BU by five, 9-4, and the Bruins committed three errors.
Bellevue has a 5-9 record all-time in the NAIA Opening Round since the format was adopted in 2009.
NAIA Championship Opening Round - Shawnee Bracket
Shawnee, Okla. | Bison Field at Ford Park
Monday, May 12
Game 1: Bacone def. Friends, 5-2
Tuesday, May 13
Game 2: Bellevue def. Northwestern (Iowa), 2-1
Game 3: Oklahoma Baptist def. Bacone, 10-3
Game 4: Northwestern (Iowa) def. Friends, 12-5
Wednesday, May 14
Game 5: Oklahoma Baptist def. Bellevue, 4-0
Game 6: Northwestern (Iowa) vs. Bacone, 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Bellevue, 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 15 (Championship)
Game 8: Oklahoma Baptist vs. Winner Game 7, noon
Game 9: if necessary, 3 p.m.
