Baseball Sweeps Savage Storm

March 28, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University watched its recent upsurge in baseball fortunes continue beating back two challenges from visiting Southeastern Oklahoma State University for a 3-2 and 11-4 doubleheader sweep Wednesday in Weatherford.

The victories were SWOSU’s fourth straight and improved the Bulldogs to 8-22 on the year and started them at 2-0 in the Lone Star Conference North Division. Southeastern fell to 14-18 and 0-2 afterwards.

Kenny Hare’s two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth was the difference in the Bulldogs one-run victory in game one. Hare blasted his team-leading third homer of the season and scored himself and Mark Cole, who reached base with a two-out walk.

The one-run cushion held as starting pitcher Jeff Keller worked out of a tight spot in the seventh to earn his second victory. SOSU’s Brad Northcott led off with a single and advanced to third after teammate Jared Johnson followed with a single. SOSU tried a squeeze play in which Northcott attempted to score after a no-out bunt by T.J. Ladd. Bulldog third baseman Ryan Starzenski alertly fielded the ball and flicked it to catcher Jonathan Fontanet who applied the out tag to a sliding Northcott.

In the second game, SWOSU broke it open early when Blain Perkins singled with the bases loaded to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in the first. SWOSU scored five in the opening frame and chased SOSU starter C.J. Stewart after only two-thirds of an inning. Stewart walked four of the first eight batters he faced.

The Bulldogs peppered five different SOSU pitchers with a combined total of 13 hits. Dakota Streber was the top offensive producer for SWOSU going three-for-four with two runs scored and an RBI.

Ty Pool improved to 2-6 with the win going six and one-third inning before giving way to Chris Morrison for the final two outs.

SWOSU is scheduled to play (weather permitting) a Saturday doubleheader at home against Northeastern State University and a single game on Sunday. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Start on Sunday is at 1 p.m.