Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Goodwell, Okla.—The OPSU Baseball team earned their fourth win of the season Wednesday afternoon as they took on Northwestern Oklahoma State University in a nine-inning shootout that resulted in a one-run win for the Aggies (7-6).

The Aggies came out swinging from the start hitting four singles for four RBI in the opening inning of the game. Dehryen Noriega got the first hit of the day with one out and bases loaded, sending a single to left field for one run. Cody Dion then hit a two-run single down the left side and was followed up by Derek Stallworth, who drove in the fourth run on a single to center to put the Aggies ahead 4-0 after one inning of play.  

Sophomore Adrian Lopez started on the mound for OPSU and held the Rangers to six hits and zero runs through 5.2 innings of work. The Aggies brought through one run in the bottom of the fifth as Tiler Fletcher hit a single to the shortstop to give Noriega his second run of the day. The first two Northwestern batters were put out in the top of the sixth and the Aggies replaced Lopez with senior Logan Litton who struggled in his appearance allowing five hits for four runs (three earned) narrowing the Aggies' advantage to  one run. Freshman Joel Perez relieved Litton in the seventh inning with one out and two runners on base. The Rangers got one run through on Perez, who ended the inning with a tied score 5-5.

First baseman Austin Beckner opened up with a single in the bottom of the seventh and pinch runner, Mick Hernandez cashed in with the run. Hernandez stole second and took the final two bases off an RBI single by Stallworth. Northwestern tied things back up scoring one run in the top of the eighth, when a random Panhandle wind storm blew through the ballpark causing a brief break in play. The Aggies answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to pull ahead 7-6. Joseph Cerda scored from third as a walked batter pushed the loaded bases ahead. Perez walked his first batter in the bottom of the ninth prompting Zane Grigsby to enter from the bullpen. Grigsby got the last three outs of the game with a strikeout looking, fly-out and fielder's choice. Perez earned his first win of the year in 1.2 innings with four hits and two runs (one earned); Grigsby got his first save allowing zero hits.

Northwestern's third pitcher, Trevor Rakers, took the loss giving up the winning run in the eighth inning. The Rangers totaled 15 hits including the only double of the day; they were four for four on stolen bases and committed three errors. OPSU finished with eleven hits, all singles, and had two errors on the day; runners got away with two stolen bases and were caught stealing twice. The Aggie pitchers combined for four earned runs and five strikeouts; opposing pitchers walked eight batters and threw six strikeouts with one wild pitch.

Head Coach Jason Miner commented after the game, "It was a good win. It was good to see the boys scratch a run after they tied it with a little controversy in the top of the eighth. Adrian [Lopez] pitched very well in his first outing in a couple of weeks."

The Aggies improve to a 4-14 overall record and will take to the road next week starting with a double-header in Bethany, Okla. against Southern Nazarene on March 8. They open Heartland Conference play in Fort Smith, Ark. with a three-game series against UAFS March 11-12. OPSU Baseball will return to their home field for another Heartland matchup on March 18-19 with Newman University.