3/25/2022 | Baseball | Box Score

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. – Eastern New Mexico dropped its road series opener to Oklahoma Christian University, 6-2, on Friday afternoon at Dobson Field. The Greyhounds slip to 10-15 on the season, with an 9-14 standing in the LSC action. The Eagles improve to 9-20 on the year with the same record in conference play.

Eastern struck first with a quick run in the first inning. After Dax Edmonds reached on a hit by pitch and Cooper Hamilton singled, each runner advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Then, an Eagles pass ball sent Edmonds to the plate for an early 1-0 lead.

After a hitless first inning, Oklahoma Christian connected at the plate in the second frame. The Eagles put up six consecutive hits scoring four runs in the process, holding a 4-1 advantage. OC picked up one more run in the third inning after a two out single, posting a 5-1 lead after the first three innings.

The Greyhounds put a reply on the board after Spencer Roach singled in the top of the sixth inning with two outs. Nick Schifftner walked, to set up a Sammy Williamson single to center field to score Roach from second, 5-2 OC. The next inning, the Eagles got a run back after a balk from the Hounds pushed the runner on third base home, 6-2 OC.

Down to their final six outs, ENMU put pressure on the Eagles in the eighth with three straight hits from Roach, Schifftner, and Williamson to load the bases with one out. However, a strikeout and groundout ended the inning for OC without conceding any runs. That was the last base runners for the Greyhounds, with a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth, as the Eagles picked up a 6-2 victory.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Eastern posted eight hits on the afternoon, scoring two runs with two walks, and one extra base hit.
  • Roach and Williamson went 2-4 on the afternoon, with the latter posting the lone RBI. Schifftner worked two walks and went 1-2, while Edmonds and Roach each scored a run.
  • Noah De La Riva was on the hill for the loss, giving up 10 hits and six runs (five earned runs) with one strikeout in 6.2 innings. Stephen Rausa tossed 1.1 innings on the mounds conceding no hits.
  • Will Rodman picks up the win with 7.1 innings pitched surrendering two runs from eight hits. Andrew Alonzo was awarded the save after retiring all five batters he faced with two strikeouts.

FROM THE SOURCE

“We jumped out ahead like we wanted to but missed a lot of scoring opportunities leaving too many runners on base throughout,” said Head Baseball Coach Riley Price. “(Noah) De La RIva didn’t throw bad, but they found some holes offensivly and took advantage of our mistakes on defense. I feel good going into tomorrow’s doubleheader if we get back to playing our game” said Price.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Oklahoma Christian hold the all-time series record overall, 6-2, and have won the last four contests.
  • Roach extended his hitting streak to 13 straight games, and has recorded 10 multiple hit games this season.
  • Rausa tossed his longest outing of the season, going 1.1 innings pitched with a strikeout and a walk.
  • Eastern look to bounce back on Saturday, in an afternoon doubleheader with first pitch schedule for 12 pm.