LAREDO, Texas (Feb. 14, 2020) – After a couple of hard-luck outings to open the baseball season, Oklahoma Christian pitcher Gabe Rodery was rewarded for his mastery on Friday afternoon

The senior left-hander from Verdigris, Okla., struck out 12 batters in eight innings to lead the Eagles to an 8-0 win over Texas A&M International at Jorge Haynes Field, giving OC – ranked 10th in the South Central Region – its first win of the season in the opener of a four-game series against the Dustdevils.

Rodery, an All-South Central Region pick in 2019, allowed only one earned run in 14 innings combined against Lone Star Conference powers Texas A&M-Kingsville and Angelo State (Texas), but still took the pitching loss in both games. Against TAMIU (2-5, 2-5 LSC), he shined again, scattering six hits and not allowing a baserunner to advance past second base.

This time, the Eagles provided Rodery (1-2) early run support. OC (1-6, 1-6) scored two runs in the top of the first inning off TAMIU starter J.J. Sanchez (0-2), taking advantage of two wild pitches. They added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to extend the lead.

OC sealed the win with a four-run ninth inning, keyed by a bases-loaded triple by Grant Lake, who had four RBIs. Blake Empkey had three of the Eagles' eight hits and scored twice, as did Kevin Collyer.

The Eagles and Dustdevils will play a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m., before the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.