SWOSU Loses UCO Opener

March 14, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University got behind early and never founds its way back losing a 10-4 baseball game Friday to rival Central Oklahoma. The two teams will continue their series Saturday with a doubleheader set to begin at 2 p.m. in Weatherford.

The Bronchos jumped to a 4-0 lead after three innings and then let pitcher Clint Straka carry them the rest of the way for the win. Straka improved to 5-0 going the entire nine innings scattering just five hits. He struck out 10 and walked just two batters.

SWOSU did get to Straka twice as Caleb Cole and Daniel Castillo each homered. Cole’s homer in the fourth put SWOSU on the board and Castillo then blasted a two-run shot that brought the Bulldogs to within 7-4 after five.

UCO then answered with three more runs to put the game out of reach by the eighth inning.

Adam Phillips (0-3) took the loss on the mound. The hard throwing right-hander made it through six innings before being lifted in favor of reliever Nathan Perez.

SWOSU dropped to 7-14 and 5-11 in the Lone Star Conference while UCO upped its mark to 18-7 and 10-4 in league play.