WOODWARD, Okla. – A tremendous first-ever collegiate start by freshman Colton Anderson went for naught, as Oklahoma Panhandle State University baseball could not hold its early lead versus Southwestern College, 8-7, in a non-conference game played at the Fuller Ballpark. The loss dropped the Aggies to 9-25, while the Moundbuilders improved to 15-11 on the year.
 
OPSU built a 5-0 lead through six frames. Panhandle plated five unearned runs thanks to SC errors. But the Aggie bats went silent in the seventh and eighth innings, as the Moundbuilders battled back with two in the seventh, one in the eighth and a five-spot in the top of the ninth to lead the stunned Aggies, 8-5.
 
Even after seeing its lead evaporate, OPSU did not give in. With two down in the bottom of the ninth, and one man aboard, Chris Schraer went all "Bob Seger" on Southwestern and smashed a two-run home run - against the wind - over the right-center fence. That made it the final 8-7 score, after the Aggies could get no more runs.
 
In the game, Schraer went 3-for-5 and scored twice.  Ethan Hunt and Mekhi Edwards each drove in a run, as well.
 
While the loss no doubt stung, the efforts of Anderson taking the hill for his first varsity start may turn out to be a valuable asset for the Aggies down the stretch of 2021.
 
Anderson, from Verdigris, Oklahoma, threw 6.0 innings of no-hit, no-run baseball. Anderson faced 22 batters, walking four and striking out nine (including five of the first six Moundbuilders he faced in the game). Anderson was lifted after tossing exactly 100 pitches.
 
Panhandle State will return to Sooner Athletic Conference play this weekend at Oklahoma City University. The Aggies and Stars will play a single game Friday (Apr. 9/6 p.m.) and a Saturday (Apr. 10/12 p.m.) doubleheader