Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Box Score Goodwell, Okla.—The Aggies hosted a season-finale series against Rogers State University this weekend which included a celebration of senior athletes prior to Saturday's game.

The stands were packed and the sun was shining as seniors Nicholas Crosswhite, Brett Nasello, Lucas Ogaz, Walker Rainwater, Jordan Sprouse, Zack Tingen and Bo Ybarra were all recognized in front of family, friends and fans for their dedication and contributions to OPSU Baseball. Each received a jersey and framed picture from the coaches and each left their own parting words of wisdom to the underclassmen. Shortstop Jordan Sprouse imparted these words on his teammates, "All you can ever control is your attitude and your effort."

Although Rogers swept the series with three wins 7-6, 11-3 and 9-2, the Aggie Spirit was in full swing throughout the weekend. Senior Walker Rainwater started on the mound in Friday's game one and pitched a complete seven innings for OPSU.

The Hillcats started off with two runs in the first inning and scored another four in the top of the third, but the Aggies fought back with five runs in the bottom of the inning to pull within one run 5-6. With two outs senior Lucas Ogaz reached base on a single to right center and was then brought home by a big triple from Jason Cox. Nick Zieniuk stepped up with a single to score Cox, and with bases loaded, Chris McClendon knocked a double up the middle for three RBI.

Rainwater and the Aggie defense were able to hold the Hillcats through the fourth and fifth innings, but one run came through in the top of the sixth giving Rogers a 7-5 lead. The Aggies looked to make a comeback in the seventh as Ogaz reached base on a stray pitch and went on to steal second; Cox sent him to third with a sac bunt and Collin Smith brought him home with a single for the Aggies last run of the game. The Aggies out-hit the Hillcats eight to five but couldn't pull ahead and took the one-run loss.

Lefty pitcher Samuel Beattie got the start in game two and kept the Hillcats quiet for the first three innings of play. Three hits and two errors in the fourth helped bring in three runs for Rogers while the Aggie remained scoreless. Another three runs scored in the fifth put OPSU down 6-0 with four innings left in the game.

Ogaz drove a double down the right field line to lead off the bottom of the sixth and advanced to third on a ground-out by Cox; Zieniuk hit another ground to bring Ogaz home and put the Aggies on the board with one run. A quick seventh inning kept the score at 6-1 with Rogers still on top. Two Hillcats scored in the top of the eighth to increase the lead to seven runs; but once again Ogaz stepped up with another double down the right field line to fire up the OPSU dugout. Zieniuk hit an RBI single to put another run up for the Aggies.

Rogers did not relent and put up three more runs in the ninth inning to go up 11-2. Sam Moreno would hit the third double of the game for OPSU advancing Chase Graf to third base after reaching on a single; senior Jordan Sprouse then scored Graf for the final run for the Aggies. Beattie took the loss in five innings and was relieved by B.J. Henry who pitched three innings before being replaced by Josh Gordon.

After senior recognition took place Saturday the Aggies had two special guests toss in the ceremonial first pitch: Bryan Milburn of Milburn Kroh the Big Ranch, and Caleb Klein of the Bob Moffitt Agency and Lauffer Farms. Senior Zack Tingen then took the mound starting his final game in an Aggie uniform. Tingen went five innings before being relieved by the third senior pitcher Brett Nasello.

The Hillcats jumped out to an early 6-0 lead after three innings and would score three more runs at the end of the game. The Aggie bats struggled throughout the game connecting on just four hits, three of which came in the final inning to score the only two runs of the game. James Beasley hit an RBI ground-out with runners on the corners and then Logan Litton hit a single for the second run.

The Aggies totaled 23 hits in the series to Rogers' 25 and had five hits for extra bases. Ogaz led the team in hitting with a batting average of .375 and a slugging percentage of .625. Zieniuk and McClendon knocked in three RBI apiece and the pitching crew totaled eight strikeouts on the weekend. The Aggies finish the season with an overall record of 3-46 and two wins in the Heartland Conference.

OPSU Baseball would like to thank their sponsors Aeroflight, AeroTan, Bank of the Panhandle, Bob Moffitt Agency LLC, Lauffer Farms and Milburn-Kroh the Big Ranch for their continued support throughout the season. Congratulations to all the seniors and best of luck on your future endeavors!