BETHANY, Okla. - Oklahoma Panhandle State baseball dropped both of their games against the Southwestern Christian Eagles on day one of the two-day series. Senior outfielder Ethan Hunt inches closer to another Panhandle State record as he records his 61st hit of the season to tie the program record.
Heading down the home stretch of the season, Head Coach
Shawn Joy knows the importance of each and every game. "We beat ourselves today, we need to play better baseball."
The series opener saw the Eagles get out to an early lead that the Aggies would be unable to catch up to. The inability to get runners on and score runners in scoring position would cost the Aggies game one. A lacking offense coupled with three defensive errors handcuffed the Aggies' chances of mounting a rally.
The second game of the doubleheader saw the Aggies try to change their fortunes in the series with an early crooked number in the game. However, the Eagles would be able to take advantage of the elements and put up a crooked number of their own.
Game 1
With conference playoffs on the horizon, the Aggies headed to Bethany to try and pull out a series win to secure their place in the postseason. Attention to detail would be lacking in game one of the series as the Aggies committed three defensive errors.
Freshman RHP Juan Javier would earn the loss in game one. Tossing four complete innings before making way for Joaquin Carlos and Jostynn Mieses. Carlos and Mieses combined for two innings of work, allowing four hits and four runs.
Once again Ethan Hunt highlighted the Aggie offense. Finishing the game with two of the five Aggie hits. While the Eagle pitching was not strikeout dominant, the Aggies struggled to put the ball in play and reach base.
Game 2
Panhandle State made some changes for the second game of the day to generate any sort of momentum. Not only would people be moved up and down the lineup but some would also see some positional changes.
Sophomore RHP Braedan LeJarraga would make his second consecutive start for the Aggies and earn the loss. LeJarraga would go four and two-thirds innings before handing the ball off to Colton Anderson. Anderson would not fare much better against the Eagles as he only lasted a third of an inning. Zeke Dougan was the next man up for the Aggies. Allowing only a single hit in his lone inning of work.
The new lineup would pay dividends early for the Aggies in game two. Ethan Hunt and Luis Dermas would both lead off the games with singles to set the tone early. Jonathan Applebury would score Hunt with a double to right-center. Manrique Mora would bring another around for the Aggies with a single of his own to score Dermas. Dylan Hughs and Landon Finke would put the Aggies up four to nothing heading into the bottom of the first.
Despite the big inning for the Aggies in the first, the bats would go quiet for the next few innings. Managing only three hits after the first. The Eagles would take advantage of the lull in the game and put up five in the fifth to take the lead.
With the Aggies down to their last out in the game, Ethan Hunt would keep the Aggie hopes alive after reaching on an Eagle error. Dermas and Applebury would follow up with singles of their own to load the bases for Hunter Hutchinson. Southwestern Christian would force a fielder's choice ground out by Hutchinson to end the game.
Panhandle State baseball returns to the field Saturday, April 23rd at noon.
