MOUNTAINEER BASEBALL

Story by Aric Thomas
(03-20-08)

Eastern Moves up to 18th in First Regular Season NJCAA Poll

The Eastern Oklahoma State College baseball team was rewarded for their early season play and their tough schedule when the first NJCAA regular season poll was announced Wednesday.  Pre-season ranked 22nd, the Mountaineers moved up to 18th in the new poll.  During the season, the NJCAA ranks just 20 schools and announces their weekly poll every Wednesday.

Through Saturday’s games, the Eastern is 22-7.  Of the 29 games played, 16 of those games have been against ranked opponents.  The Mountaineers have also put together three long winning streaks this season.  Currently they have won seven in a row and earlier in the season the Mountaineers won nine games and five games in a row.

To see the rest of the NJCAA poll you can visit the NJCAA site.

PLAYER NOTES

Casey Gibson – Currently on a 9 game hitting streak; team highs in batting average .444, 34 runs scored, 40 hits, 5 triples and 7 hit by pitches.

Steve Irvine – Currently on a 6 game hitting streak; leads the team with 14 stolen bases and 15 walks.

Blake Mounce – Currently holds a 6 game hitting streak; his .355 batting average is third on the team and also tied for third best with 22 RBI’s.

Gunner Glad – Leads team with 7 home runs; 3-0 on the mound with a 2.52 ERA and pitched in both of team shutouts on the season.

Nate Pettus – Currently hit in 8 straight; holds team highs with 12 doubles and 36 RBI’s; also has 6 HR’s.  On the mound, 2nd in the nation with 6 saves; 2-0 in 11 appearances and in 18 IP has held opponents to a .138 batting average.

Chance Deason – Won 6 straight decisions on the mound (6-1); tied for 12th in the country with 12 wins; only given up 23 hits in 38.2 inning pitched; has also struck out 39 batters.

Seth Terry - Picked up his third win of the year (3-0); in 15 innings pitched has struck out 15 and only walked 3.