OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Sterling College fell in a high-scoring battle to Oklahoma City University, losing 16-15 in an 11-inning game on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Denney Crabaugh Field.
Sterling’s offensive effort included a total of 14 hits and a home run, but OCU’s six home runs proved decisive in the contest.
The Warriors and the Stars engaged in a high-scoring affair, with the game extending into extra innings. Oklahoma City took an early lead in the first inning, scoring one unearned run. The score was 1-0 in favor of the Stars after one inning.
Sterling responded in the second inning when Matthew Garcia homered to left center, bringing home Nehemiah House for two runs. However, the Stars countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by Will Ellis’s solo homer, to lead 4-2 at the end of two innings.
In the fourth inning, Sterling mounted a strong offensive push. Joshua Garcia hit a double to left center, clearing the bases for three runs, and Mateo Castro followed with an RBI double. Sterling took the lead, making it 6-5 through four innings.
The fifth inning saw the Warriors add two more runs, one coming from an error allowing Ezavien Campos to score, putting the team ahead 8-7. OCU matched with two runs of its own in the bottom half, narrowing Sterling’s lead to one run through five innings.
The Stars surged ahead in the sixth, scoring three runs, but Sterling answered back in the seventh inning. The team scored five runs, including a two-RBI single from Jackson Harding, regaining the lead at 13-12 through seven innings.
Sterling added two more runs in the eighth inning, increasing its lead to 15-13. OCU scored once in the bottom half, making it a one-run game. The score stood at 15-13 in favor of Sterling after eight innings.
Oklahoma City tied the game in the ninth inning with two solo home runs, sending the game into extra innings with a 15-15 score.
Both teams were scoreless in the tenth inning, maintaining the tie going into the eleventh. In the bottom of the eleventh inning, Cooper Holtorf doubled to left field, driving in the winning run for the Stars. The final score was 16-15 in favor of Oklahoma City.
Aaron Elsasser started the game, pitching 1 inning with two hits and two strikeouts, allowing one run but no earned runs. Tyreek Sherman faced challenges in his 1/3 inning outing, giving up two hits, including a home run and three earned runs with one walk and one hit batter. Cooper Lovelace pitched 2/3 of an inning without allowing a hit or run, recording one fly out. Zachary “Ty” Johnston pitched 1 inning, striking out two batters but walking three and allowing one earned run. Colin Clark and Caden Fisk each pitched 1 inning, with Clark recording two strikeouts and Fisk surrendering a home run among his two hits allowed. Jack Trent also pitched 1 inning, allowing a home run and two runs overall, while Eric Villa gave up a single home run over his inning of work. Jordan Ramsey was effective over 2 innings, recording three strikeouts but conceding two solo home runs. Landon Snyder concluded the pitching sequence, facing three batters and allowing two hits and one earned run.
Joshua Garcia made a significant impact by driving in five runs, including a double, and scoring three times. Matthew Garcia contributed with four hits, including a home run, while also scoring four runs and collecting two RBIs. Jackson Harding was effective at the plate, recording three hits and three RBIs, while also drawing a walk. Ezavien Campos crossed the plate three times, adding to the team’s offensive push.
Sterling (3-10, 0-3) will be back in action in a conference series against McPherson College (3-8, 0-0) in Sterling, Kan. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21. Game one on Friday will start at 2 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday will start at 11 a.m.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
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