MARYVILLE, Mo. - The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos recorded a 4-1 victory over the Northwest Missouri State University baseball team in the rubber match of a three-game series at Bearcat Field.

The Bronchos (24-16 overall, 16-11 MIAA) out-hit the Bearcats (15-25 overall, 9-18 MIAA) to score a 2-1 series triumph. 

Northwest's lone run of the day came on a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the first from Brett Holden. Holden would later add a leadoff single in the sixth.

The Bearcats brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh, when UCO turned to its closer Kyler Patterson. Patterson retired all seven Bearcat batters he faced after entering in the seventh inning. Patterson tallied his eighth save of the season and lowered his season ERA to 0.53. Patterson has pitched 34 innings this season and has posted 55 strikeouts, while allowing only two earned runs.

Northwest starter Alex Slocum pitched 6 1/3 innings and took the loss (2-6). Slocum allowed seven hits and four runs (all earned). He struck out three and walked one.

The Bearcats will be back in action Tuesday at home at 2 p.m. in a non-conference matchup with the Washburn Ichabods.