Chris Miller homered for OC in an 11-4 loss to Rogers State on Thursday.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 16, 2012) – Chris Miller and Jerry Owen each hit a home run for Oklahoma Christian, but the Eagles fell 11-4 on Thursday afternoon to No. 19 Rogers State in the Sooner Athletic Conference baseball opener for both teams at Dobson Field.

Five different Rogers State players recorded two hits and the Hillcats (10-0, 1-0 SAC) finished with 15 hits off OC pitchers Ryan Morris (1-1) and Harrison Mendez. Colton Campbell went 2-for-5 and led Rogers State with three RBIs.

OC (3-1, 1-1) struggled to get any consistent offense against Rogers State left-hander Eric Faust, who entered in relief after only one batter following an injury to the Hillcats' starter, lefty Brandon Bargas. Faust allowed four hits and one run while striking out seven in six innings. OC finished the game with seven hits.

"Rogers State has a solid ballclub," OC coach Chuck White said. "They hit the ball really well and ran several quality arms out on the mound that were effective.

"Our approach at the plate today was anemic at best, too much looking and not enough swinging," White said. "Our pitchers got roughed up a little but that is to be expected with the quality of teams and talent in this conference. Our pitchers competed well, but we have got to hit the ball and give our pitchers some run support if we have any hope of being consistently competitive in conference play."

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the first, as Tanner Hessman doubled and took third base on an error by Rogers State centerfielder Eric Baker, then scored on a single by Dillon Andrews. But that was the only lead OC would enjoy.

The Hillcats scored twice in the second on only one hit, pulling off a double steal on which pinch-runner Taylor Estes stole home to put Rogers State up 2-1.

Rogers State scored three more runs in the fourth, all with two outs. Keith Poverud delivered a two-run single and Eric Baker followed with another run-scoring single. Miller's solo home run over the left-field wall pulled OC within 5-2, but the Hillcats added three more in the fifth inning off Morris, with Campbell's bloop single to center bringing home two runs.

Owen's home run, a solo shot to left field, came in the ninth inning. He was the only OC player with more than one hit, finishing 2-for-4.

Morris allowed eight runs and 10 hits in five innings while walking four and striking out three. Mendez allowed five hits and three runs in four innings, with one walk and two strikeouts.

OC's next game will be Sunday at 1 p.m. at home against York (Neb.).