Photo by: Henoc Kivuye
Oklahoma Christian University took Southern Nazarene University (SNU) down to the final pitch last Tuesday, but walked away from Dobson Field with a non-conference win against the long-time rival.
The baseball team took an early 2-1 lead against the Crimson Storm and held it until the seventh inning, when SNU tied up the game. Junior Caden Cleveland’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh sent senior A.J. Florence home, sealing the win for Oklahoma Christian (18-10).
“It’s exciting to see the team’s hard work paying off,” freshman Kolton Brown said. “We put in the work training in the fall and now that the season is here and we are on a five-game winning streak, I think it definitely shows.”
The Eagles played a three-game series at Dobson Field against Heartland rivals McMurry University March 28 and 29. Senior Brandon Pierce brought home the win with a 4-2 performance from the mound.
In the second game of the series the Eagles jumped to a quick lead in the second inning. McMurry, however, answered in the eighth, scoring two runs and eventually defeating Oklahoma Christian 4-3. This was the Eagles’ first loss after a six-game winning streak.
“It is always hard to lose,” Brown said. “All we can do now is learn by the mistakes we made and try to come back in the next game and the rest of the season to continue to work towards those wins. The goal is to play like we know how and to get back on that winning streak.”
In game three, the Eagles scored in the first inning and added a second run in the third. The War Hawks tied the game up in the fifth inning. The Eagles retorted with a run in the sixth and another in the seventh, securing the series victory 4-2.
Oklahoma Christian hit the road to face off against Arkansas Tech University on March 31, falling 6-3. The Eagles remained scoreless after three innings while the Golden Suns brought in four runs, but they closed the gap to only one run in the fifth inning. Arkansas Tech answered with two more runs to clinch the victory.
“The team was hoping to work towards another win as always, but it just was not in the cards for us this time,” Brown said. “Our next game is against East Central University, so that is another chance for us to show how hard we have worked and to work towards that win. The team is ready for Tuesday’s [April 1] game. Coming off a close loss on Monday, we are ready to get revenge for that game. We will come out intense.”
Cleveland’s strong hitting produced an RBI single in the top of the 11th inning on Tuesday against East Central University, sending the Eagles home with an 8-7 win over the Tigers.
The baseball team is the fifth Oklahoma Christian sport to receive votes in a Division II national poll since the university began the NCAA membership process before the 2012-2013 academic year, joining the former men and women’s tennis teams and the men and women’s golf team to receive votes in a national poll.
“The team is getting better and better as we go along and is doing just as well, if not better, than we expected to,” sophomore Jesse Stephens said. “If we can stay consistent with our bats and pitching, our season will be a great one.”
The Eagles are also hosting a contest with prizes this season to help raise attendance at games. Social clubs are encouraged to check in at games with the intention of winning a prize for the entire club. Prizes are also being given to the loudest and craziest fans in attendance.
“I think it is really great they are doing this contest,” sophomore Kendall Bosse said. “I went to the majority of the home games last year, and most of the fans in the stands were often with the away team. It is so nice to see the Eagles finally getting the support and recognition they deserve. I hope that next season the attendance is just as strong without the contest, because these boys work so hard and they deserve it.”
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