MOUNTAINEER BASEBALL

Story by Aric Thomas
(04-06-08)

Eastern Can’t Hold Late Lead Twice and Loses Series to NEO

The 12th ranked Eastern Oklahoma State College baseball team lost three of four games to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College this past weekend.  The Mountaineers (29-10, 5-3) remain in first place in the Bi-State Conference, but are now in a three way tie with NEO and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

In game one, it looked as if Eastern was going to win going away.  Leading 9-3 heading into the 5th inning, the Mountaineers gave up three runs in the 5th, five in the 6th and two in the 7th inning. “The bullpen has been great all year, they were due to have a bad game,” said head coach Aric Thomas.  The final score was 13-10.  Offensively, the Mountaineers pounded out 14 hits.  Steve Irvine was 4-5 with two home runs, two runs scored, three RBI’s and a stolen base.  One of his home runs was to lead off the game.  Jeff Scardino, Casey Gibson, Nate Pettus and Blake Mounce each had two hits.

Game two was shortened from a nine inning game to a six inning game due to weather (rain and lightning).  Eastern dropped a 6-0 decision.  Starting pitcher Josh Miller had to leave the game in the second inning due to injury.  Jeff Scardino came on to throw 5.2 innings and allowed just two runs and four hits while striking out five.  The Mountaineers could not push run across in six innings despite getting seven hits.  After the 1st inning, they left runners on base in every inning and eight total for the game.  Nate Pettus and Casey McCollum had two hits a piece.

The Mountaineers couldn’t hold onto a late lead again in game three.  Ashton Mowdy was outstanding again.  Mowdy threw six innings, didn’t allow a run, gave up just four singles and struck out eight.  It was the third straight start in which Mowdy hasn’t given up an earned run.  Eastern closer, Nate Pettus came on to throw the 7th inning.  Pettus struggled with his command and walked three, gave up a single and then a base clearing double.  The Mountaineers fell by a score of 4-3.  “Just like in game one of this series, Nate has been great all year and is second in the country with 8 saves.  He just had a bad outing, it happens.  He will slam the door shut many more times for us this season,” said Coach Thomas.  Casey Gibson and Blake Mounce each went 3-3 at the plate.  Gibson added a walk, run and triple.  The Mountaineers out hit NEO in the game, 11 to 6.

Backed against a wall in game four and down 2-0 heading into the 4th inning, the Eastern baseball team responded by scoring one run in the 4th inning, five in the 5th, one in the 7th and three in the 9th to win the final game of the series 10-5.  Gunner Glad (5-0) pitched six innings and earned the win.  Seth Terry threw the final three innings and allowed just one unearned run to pick up his first save of the year.  Offensively, the Mountaineers continued their hot hitting and had 15 hits.  They had 47 total hits for the series.  Gunner Glad led the way going 3-6 with a double, home run, two runs and two RBI’s.

Eastern will take the field Monday at home against Grayson County College.  The single nine inning game will begin at 2:00 pm.  Eastern will resume Bi-State Conference play on Thursday against Seminole State College.  Thursday the two teams will play a 1:00 pm doubleheader in Wilburton.  The series will shift to Seminole on Saturday again beginning at 1:00 pm.