KERRVILLE, Texas (Feb. 4, 2013) – For an Oklahoma Christian baseball team looking to erase memories of a disappointing 2012, a 14-2 win over Schreiner (Texas) in the season opener on Monday was an excellent way to start.
Luke Sandoval pitched six strong innings and the Eagles scored five runs in their first at-bat to cruise to a 14-2 win over NCAA Division III Schreiner at Mountaineer Field.
OC (1-0) posted its highest-scoring game since last March 6, when the Eagles beat visiting Bethel (Tenn.) 14-4. The Eagles averaged 4.2 runs per game last season.
"Our guys came in and set the tone early," said OC coach Lonny Cobble, who won in his collegiate coaching debut. "Any time you can score five in the top of the first inning, that's great. Luke Sandoval threw really well. We only had one error. I was very pleased with our pitching and our defense. I couldn't be more happy with the way we started the season."
OC (1-0) jumped quickly on Schreiner starter Ethan Catalani, recording five hits and taking advantage of three errors by the Mountaineers in the first inning. Cody Rosecrans had an RBI double and Sean Murphy added a run-scoring triple during the outburst for the Eagles.
Another Schreiner error led to two more OC runs in the third and the Eagles chased Catalini (0-1) in the fourth, as Blake Stringer delivered an RBI single and Rosecrans had his second run-scoring double of the game, which made it 9-0.
Schreiner (2-2) scored an unearned run in the fourth off Sandoval (1-0), but otherwise he was solid. In six innings, the sophomore right-hander from Weatherford allowed five hits, struck out three and walked none. Tyler Schuman tossed two innings of one-hit relief and Jesse Stephens pitched the ninth inning for the Eagles, allowing a pair of hits and Schreiner's other run.
Rosecrans went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Eagles' 14-hit attack. Jordan Lopez and Wes Dorough also each had a pair of hits while Dillon Andrews, Stringer and Caden Cleveland each had two RBIs.
Chris Whitehead went 3-for-3 for Schreiner while Tyler Ince was 2-for-3.
OC's next two games, both against Heartland Conference foes, figure to be much more challenging. On Tuesday, the Eagles will visit St. Mary's (Texas), ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II by Division II Baseball News, and on Wednesday, they'll play at No. 25-ranked St. Edward's (Texas).
