MOUNTAINEER BASEBALL

Eastern Pounds Out 14 Runs 16 Hits against Panola
Story by Staff – 03/09/09

The Eastern Oklahoma State College baseball team (7-13-1) split a double header from Panola College on Sunday.  Originally, the three game series was suppose to be played at Panola, but due to a strong chance of storms the two teams shortened their series to two games in Wilburton.  In game one, the Mountaineers lost 8-4 despite out hitting the Ponies 9-8.  However Eastern turned the tables in game two with a 14-8 victory.

In game one, the two teams were tied 1-1 heading into the 4th inning.  Panola led off with a swinging bunt single that was followed by a walk and an error.  A RBI double plated the second run of the inning.  Phil Parcell then struck out the next two batters, but the Ponies were able to hit a double and single to break the inning open.  Eastern rallied for two in the bottom of the 5th and one in the bottom of the 7th.  With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, the Mountaineers were able to get the tying run to the plate, but Travis Reagan got Joe Spring to ground out to short to end the game.  Andrew Watson tossed two innings and allowed just a lead off home run, while striking out three.  Offensively, Jeff Scardino, Stephen Hagen and Brady White were all 2-4.  Jesse Santo was 2-3 with a sacrifice fly.

The Mountaineers were able to out slug the Ponies in game two.  After giving up 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning, the Mountaineer offense was able to respond with two runs in the bottom of the 1st and three in the 2nd inning.  Stephen Hagen blasted his team high 7th home run of the year in the 1st inning.  The two teams were locked in a 7-7 tie heading into the bottom of the 5th inning when Eastern plated three more runs.  Casey McCollum, Jeff Scardino and Hagen led off the inning with three consecutive doubles.  Hagen later scored on a wild pitch.  Panola was able to get one more run in the 6th, but the Mountaineers pulled away with four more runs in the bottom of the 6th inning.  Jesse Santo had the key single that drove in two runs.  Scardino (3-1) picked up the win on the mound and at the plate went 3-4 with two doubles, three runs scored, two RBI’s and a sacrifice bunt.  McCollum went 3-3 with a double, two walks and four runs scored.  Hagen, Santo, Justin Klusak and Cameron Green each had multiple hit games. Jared Coon tossed a scoreless 7th inning and struck out two.

Due to a change in the original schedule, the Mountaineers will not take the field again until Friday, March 13th.  They will play host to Maple Woods Community College.  The two teams will play a double header beginning at 1:00 pm.  Originally the two teams were supposed to take the field on Thursday also, but Thursday’s double header has been cancelled.

Santo & McCollum