EDMOND, Okla. (Feb. 15, 2011) – The Oklahoma Christian baseball team fell to the University of Central Oklahoma in their season opener on Tuesday in a high scoring 12-10 run loss.

Up to bat first, the Eagles took the first lead with two runs scored by Jordan Price and Clint Bowker. With two outs, Dustin Andrews hit a double to send home Price and Bowker, who both made it on base with walks.

In the bottom of the first inning, however, the Bronchos responded with a five-run inning to take a three run advantage heading into the second.

The Eagles scored two more runs in the top of the second, to trail by just a single run. With Zac Coshow and Jeff Davis both on base, Dillon Andrews connected on a double to right field to bat in both runners.

With no response from Central Oklahoma and a scoreless third inning, the Eagles put up a five-run inning in the top of the fourth to take a 9-5 lead.

Josh Balch scored the first run for the Eagles with a homer over the fence before Dillon Andrews took the next score after being forced home on a walk. With the bases loaded, Tyler Gipson took the plate and hit a double to send Dustin Andrews, Bowker, and Price in for three scores.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, UCO tallied another run, but the Eagles answered with a run of their own in the top of the sixth when Caleb Price advanced to home on a wild pitch to leave the Eagles at a 10-6 lead.

After a scoreless seventh inning, the Bronchos raked in six runs in the eighth to take a 12-10 lead over the Eagles. Unable to respond in the ninth, the two-run win was left to UCO.

Dillon and Dustin Andrew showed success at the plate, going 3-for-5 and 3-for-3, respectively. Dillon registered two RBI while Dustin tallied three and each scored a run for the Eagles.

Gipson contributed as well with 2-for-4 hitting and three RBI.

With the loss, the Eagles start the season at 0-1 and will return home for their next matchup with a double header scheduled against Evangel (Mo.) on Friday at 3 p.m.

-OC-