Baseball Breaks Into Win Column

March 5, 2007

PORTALES, N.M. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University secured its first baseball win of the season and in doing so won three more for good measure sweeping a four-game series against Eastern New Mexico University. SWOSU defeated ENMU by scores of 14-7, 18-8, 7-2 and 8-6.

The victories improved the Bulldogs overall record to 4-9 on the year. They will play a Tuesday doubleheader at St. Gregory’s before playing host to nationally-ranked Abilene Christian Friday and Saturday in Weatherford. First pitch for both ACU doubleheaders will begin at 12 p.m.

Newomer Tristan Cummings was the offensive star for the Bulldogs. The Fort Hays State transfer had 10 hits in 16 at bats for a .625 average. He drove in five runs, including a key home run in the fourth and final game.

Sophomore Gabe Winn was the top pitcher for the Bulldogs as he went the distance in a 7-2 win in game three. Winn pitched seven innings, allowed just two runs, one of which was unearned while scattering eight hits. He struckout four and walked two batters to raise his record to 1-2 on the year.

In the first game, Ryan Pease delivered the biggest hit for the Bulldogs. Trailing, 7-5 with one out in the sixth inning, Pease came up with a bases-loaded double that scored three runs putting the SWOSU in front 8-7.

Turns out all eight runs were needed as pitcher Jeff Keller fought through some rough stretches but still managed to secure his first win of the season. Keller threw six innings, allowed nine hits and seven runs, all of which were earned. He struck out one batter and walked three before giving way to reliever Dakota Streber in the seventh inning.

In the second game, Sean Rogers tied a school record with a pair of triples. Rogers was three-for-five with five RBIs. His bases-loaded triple in the fifth put the Bulldogs ahead 15-5 on their way to an easy 18-8 win.

Chris Morrison picked up the win working six innings. He allowed eight runs on 13 hits and struck out three batters while walking four. His record evened at 1-1.

SWOSU started with a 6-0 lead in game three thanks in part to several fielding miscues by the Greyhounds. The Bulldogs ended with seven runs, three of which were unearned including the first two of the game.

The Bulldogs took advantage of an extra opportunity granted to them in the final game. SWOSU was ahead 4-3 entering the sixth when Cummings reached base with two outs after a dropped third strike. Blain Perkins then followed with a single and Kenny Hare blasted a two-run homer to put SWOSU ahead 8-3. SWOSU went on to win 8-6.

Ty Pool picked up the win on the mound pitching six and one-third innings. He allowed six runs, four of which were earned, scattered nine hits and struckout two batters to improve to 1-3 on the year.