Eagle baseball loses grip on win-streak, swept by Hilltoppers

Austin Peck sliding to third base on February 21 against Clark University. — Junior Austin Peck slides to third base in a home game on Feb. 21 against Clark University. *Photo by Roxi Gonzalez*

The Eagles baseball team failed to maintain its winning streak as St. Edward’s University swept a three-game series during the weekend.

After a successful 6-game winning streak followed by two weeks off from bad weather, Oklahoma Christian University hung on to the Hilltoppers by a 1-run deficit in each Saturday’s games and lost hold on Sunday.

Catcher Austin Orth said the team’s setback could be caused by lack of perseverance and untimely snowfall.

“We get ahead early [but] we are not finishing games like we were when we were on our streak,” Orth said. “We haven’t been able to get outside much because of the weather lately so that could be part of it.”

Saturday afternoon’s first game started in the Eagles’ favor with Kyle Lacy’s homerun in the third inning. A wild pitch by St. Edward’s in the fourth inning allowed Ben McKenzie to score.

In the seventh Zac Cobble hit a single to send Lacy home. Then McKenzie also singled to put Derek Jones across the plate. The Hilltoppers responded with four runs followed by one last single to send Nick Lerick home in the eighth inning and they took the win, 5-4.

The second game of the day featured Lacy scoring the first run. It was off of Cobble’s single in the third inning followed by St. Edwards’ A.J. Hermanson’s homer, sending home Wesley Harris and himself. Cody Rosecrans singled in the fourth, allowing Chase Kuwitzky to score.

Brady Baugh stole home in the sixth inning but couldn’t counteract St. Edward’s two runs prior, and the Eagles lost 4-3.

Orth said the Eagles hoped to rally together and make a comeback.

“It’s obviously disappointing to drop both games of a doubleheader but I think we are close to winning a lot of games,” Orth said before the game. “I think we will come out with some fire and try and at least come away with one win.”

Sunday proved fatal for Oklahoma Christian as the Hilltoppers started with nine runs before Eagles Baugh and Josh Garbrecht scored. St. Edward’s sealed the deal with three runs in the seventh inning to finish 12-2, sweeping the series.

Despite feeling disappointed Saturday and again on Sunday, Orth said he is optimistic about future games.

“[The weekend was] not fun and not a good series for us,” Orth said. “I think we will bounce back this Tuesday.”

The Eagles take the mound against East Central University on March 10 at 2 p.m.