MOUNTAINEER BASEBALL

Eastern Honors the Sophomores
Team scores 57 runs in 4 games vs 13th ranked Fort Smith
Story by Staff – 05/04/09

The Eastern baseball team (30-24-1 / 12-8) completed the regular season this weekend despite all of the rain.  The team made a strong statement heading into the Region 2 Tournament this week.  In Wilburton Thursday, Eastern run ruled 13th ranked Fort Smith 15-2.  The two teams hooked up in Fort Smith Friday and the Mountaineers dropped game one 5-2 and then turned the tables with an 18-10 victory in game two.  The finale was pushed back until Sunday.  Prior to the game, Eastern honored their 13 sophomores and then finished the season in dramatic fashion with a 22-17 win.

In game one, Eastern trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the first inning.  They answered with seven runs and never looked back.  The offense scored in every inning except the 6th and by a score of 15-2 the game was cut short in seven innings due to run rule.  Offensively, Stephen Hagen led the way by blasting his nation leading 26th and 27th home runs of the season.  Both home runs were three run shots.  Jesse Santo was 3-4 at the plate with three doubles, three runs scored and a run batted in.  Casey McCollum added three hits also.  Jared Coon tossed just three innings of work, but allowed just two runs while striking out four batters.  Jimmy Johnson pitched the final four frames and didn’t allow a run.  He allowed just three hits while striking out two.

Game two was a good pitching duel.  Zach Garling threw really well for the Mountaineers and so did Collin Fuller for Fort Smith.  Both pitchers tossed complete games.  Garling (3-2) was the tough luck loser.  He allowed five runs (only two earned) on just five hits.  Timely execution by the Fort Smith offense hurt Eastern.  They scored three of their runs on sacrifice flies.  Stephen Hagen and Cameron Green each had two hits to lead the Mountaineer offense.

Eastern showed its come back ways again in game three.  Trailing 7-0 heading into the top of the 3rd inning, the Mountaineers started their comeback by outscoring Fort Smith 18-3 the rest of the way.  They scored three runs in the 4th, four runs in the 5th, two runs in the 6th, five runs in the 7th and four runs in the 9th to knock off Fort Smith 18-10.  Jesse Santo, Casey McCollum and Justin Klusak each had three hits. Klusak, Brady White and Houston Slemp each hit home runs for Eastern.  Seth Terry (6-2) picked up the win by throwing 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.  After giving up singles to the first three batters he faced, he did not allow another hit.  Terry also didn’t allow a run while striking out two.  Jeff Scardino came on to pitch the final 1 2/3 innings.  He didn’t allow a hit or run while on the mound.

Eastern continued the tradition of honoring all the sophomores prior to their final home game.  Stephen Hagen, red shirt freshman, was also honored because he will be attending Texas Tech or playing professional baseball next year.  The 13 sophomores are Jesse Santo (SS), Zach Garling (RHP), Jimmy Johnson (RHP), Tommie Johnson III (OF), Casey McCollum (3B), Phillip Parcell (LHP), Jeff Scardino (OF/LHP), Seth Terry (LHP), Brady White (C), Jared Coon (RHP), J.T. Gasso (OF), Ben Hayes (RHP) and Bryce Killingsworth (2B).

After the ceremony, the Mountaineers played maybe the most memorable game of the season and hopefully showed a preview of how they will play in Bartlesville this week.  Once again Eastern dug a hole early in the game.  After the top of the 3rd inning, the Mountaineers were behind 10-0 and after the top of the 4th inning Fort Smith’s lead had grown to 12-1.  But in the final 5 ½ innings, Eastern outscored Fort Smith 22-5 to pull out a victory 22-17.  Jeff Scardino (6-4) was the 7th pitcher of the day for Eastern and he picked up the win.  He pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.  He allowed just one hit and struck out two.  Offensively, Stephen Hagen belted his 28th home run of the year, a grand slam.  Jesse Santo’s 16th home run of the year was a grand slam also.  Tommie Johnson saved maybe his best game as a Mountaineer for the home finale.  After lining out his first at bat, Johnson finished the day 4-5 with a double, home run (6th), five runs scored, two runs batted in and two stolen bases.  J.T. Gasso was 2-3 with a double, sacrifice fly, three runs scored and three runs batted in.

The Mountaineers completed their regular season and will now head to Bartlesville for the Region 2 Tournament.  Their first game will be on Thursday, May 7th at noon.  They will take on Seminole State College in the first game of the tournament.

The 13 sophomores are Jesse Santo (SS), Zach Garling (RHP), Jimmy Johnson (RHP), Tommie Johnson III (OF), Casey McCollum (3B), Phillip Parcell (LHP), Jeff Scardino (OF/LHP), Seth Terry (LHP), Brady White (C), Jared Coon (RHP), J.T. Gasso (OF), Ben Hayes (RHP) and Bryce Killingsworth (2B).