STRONG STATEMENT: OKWU Eagles crush diamond foe to bolster hopes
Wins are precious this week as oil strikes for the Oklahoma Wesleyan University baseball team.
They uncapped a gusher Monday to best Southwestern (Kan.), 16-4, on its homefield.
OKWU improved to 33-14 overall -- but more importantly to 19-11 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
The Eagles remain in striking distance of third place, an improved seed in the KCAC postseason tournament, and a better chance of an at-large berth to the NAIA regionals, if it comes down to that.
Southwestern had no antidote against veteran OKWU slugger Drenis Ozuna. The two-hole slugger slammed a three-run homer, singled home another tally and recorded his fifth RBI on a sacrifice fly.
Nicholas Chavez, Aaron Gerdes and Tommy Davis each registered two RBI's. Chavez cranked a two-run clout.
Jesus Rojas, Dane Fraser and Grant Hershberger each doubled. Rojas finished 3-for-5, with one run scored and one RBI.
Davis ripped three singles and scored four times; Jordyn Smith contributed a sacrifice.
Tucker Grote earned the pitching win in gritty fashion. He gave up 10 hits but allowed only one earned run (another unearned), didn't give up a walk and fanned 11.
Hunter Hansen finished up the final inning.
Joseph Finder doubled twice for Southwestern and Noah Prince drove in three runs.
OKWU is set to close out the regular season with three games this weekend against Sterling. The Senior Day games are noon and 3 p.m. Saturday.
On a not-so-happy note, for the first time this season OKWU last week fell out of the NAIA Top 25, which could be a key point in whether the Eagles are picked for the national tournament.
They can secure a spot by winning the KCAC postseason tournament or try to finish with a flourish of powerful performances to try to receive a nationals' nod.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Oklahoma Wesleyan University baseball makes strong statement in rout
