Box Score GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Feb. 4, 2017) – Oklahoma Christian wasn't able to take advantage of multiple bases-loaded situations early and the Eagles lost 6-0 to Southern Arkansas on Saturday night in the AirHogs Division II Classic at AirHogs Stadium.
OC (1-2) stranded 12 baserunners against Southern Arkansas (3-0). The Eagles loaded the bases in the first, second and fourth innings, but came away empty each time, grounding into a double play in the first and running into another in the third.
After winning their opener in the early season event 15-5 over Missouri Western on Thursday, the Eagles have managed only one run combined in losses to Washburn (Kan.) on Friday and the Muleriders on Saturday.
"We left 12 guys on base," OC coach
Lonny Cobble said. "You can't do that and win games. We will be OK. We are hitting the ball hard but just not getting things to go our way. The good thing is it's early and we'll get it figured out."
The Muleriders outhit OC by only an 8-6 count, but they came up with hits with runners on base early, jumping to a 3-0 lead in the first inning against OC starter
Mason McAlister (0-1). Cory Gallegos and Cortland McPherson had run-scoring hits for Southern Arkansas during the inning.
Southern Arkansas picked up single runs in the third and fourth innings before McAlister gave way to the OC bullpen.
Connor Litterell and
Gabe Rodery combined to allow the Muleriders only four hits and one run the rest of the way.
"McAlister had some flashes but has to be more consistent with his fastball," Cobble said. "He is going to be really good. I thought Litterell and Rodery did a great job in relief. Those guys will help us a lot down the road."
Southern Arkansas starter Dalton Algiene (1-0) wiggled out of numerous early jams. He coaxed a double-play ground ball from
Jake Baxter in the first and retired
Drew Wright on an inning-ending grounder in the second.
In the fourth, the Eagles were felled by a strange double play.
Jared Price struck out swinging for the second out and the ball briefly got away from the catcher and Price tried to run to first base. OC's
Hayden Strobel then broke off third base and was tagged out trying to return to the bag.
Algiene finished with nine strikeouts in six innings.
Chase Kuwitzky was the only OC player to record more than one hit, as the senior shortstop went 2-for-3 at the plate.
OC will face in-state rival East Central at 1 p.m. Sunday in their final game in the four-day event, which is being held at the site where the NCAA Division II Championship will be played in late May.
