MOUNTAINEER BASEBALL

Story by Aric Thomas
(4-27-07)

Eastern Loses Decision against Fort Smith

The Eastern Oklahoma State College (28-20 / 7-11) dropped game two, of the four game series, to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith 4-3.  With the score tied 3-3 in the 8th inning Eastern took what seemed to be a 4-3.  With two outs and Ryan Davis at 1st base, Chad Price hit a ground ball to the shortstop.  Trying to get the force out at 2nd base, the shortstop threw the ball wide and Davis continued around 2nd base and eventually 3rd base and scored.  When Fort Smith’s pitcher took the rubber to face the next batter he stepped off and appealed 3rd base.  The home plate umpire ruled that Davis missed 3rd base, thus ending the frame for Eastern and taking down the run.  In the bottom of the 8th inning, Fort Smith’s leadoff batter hit a ground ball to shortstop.  In another disputed call, the base umpire ruled the batter safe.  He eventually scored the winning run on a one out double.

Gunner Glad (5-4) took the hard luck loss.  He worked 7 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out five.  Offensively, Chad Price led the 11 hit attack by going 3-4.  Bryce Killingsworth and Gunner Glad each had two hits and Josh Rorex blasted his 5th home run of the season.

Game three of the four game series will be in Wilburton on Saturday (April 28th) at 1:00 pm and game four will be in Fort Smith Sunday (April 29th) at 1:00 pm.