May 24, 2008

(Box Score)

LEWISTON, Idaho - No. 2 Oklahoma City University (56-10) never trailed in its opening game and defeated No. 7 Spring Arbor (Mich.) University (38-8), 10-2 at the 2008 AVISTA-NAIA World Series from Harris Field. The two teams combined to turn six double-plays, which ties a single-game NAIA record.

Oklahoma City, who is second in the country in runs scored per game at over 10, knocked around Spring Hill starter Colin O'Connell for seven runs in the fifth inning to blow the game open. Already leading 2-0, the Stars chased O'Connell after an RBI-double by Caleb Annesley. In wasn't all on O'Connell's shoulders as his defense committed two errors which led to five unearned tallies. When the dust cleared, OCU sent 11 batters to the plate and totaled five hits including two doubles.

OCU starting hurler Tyler Kelsey cruised into the seventh as he allowed three harmless singles, one each in the first, third and sixth innings. Each of those base runners was wiped out on double-plays.

Kelsey ran into a small bind in the seventh when Bradley Baker doubled to left-center setting the table for the top hitter in the country, Jim Baker. He took the first pitch he saw from Kelsey and laced an RBI-single to left, which was his first hit of the World Series - he was 0-for-5 before that hit.

Baker's singled chased Kelsey and brought in reliever Zac Coplon. SAU made the score 9-2 after Jonathan Herbig drove in Bradley Baker on a sacrifice fly. The Stars plated the game's final tally off an RBI-double from David Dennis. Dennis just missed his school record-breaking 28^th home run in the sixth frame as his towering fly was caught at the warning track.

Kelsey ran his perfect pitching record to 10-0 on the year. He lasted 6.0 innings allowing two runs on six hits. He fanned two Cougars while walking one. O'Connell took the loss giving up nine runs, just three earned, on eight hits. He compiled five strike-outs in the losing effort.

Each position player for the Stars posted at least one base hit. Four players had two hits each led by the 2-for-4 performance from Brent Weaver. He added three RBI and one run scored.

Spring Arbor was paced offensively by Lucas Rider who was 3-for-3. Jesse Bachman went 2-for-4 and scored one of the team's runs.

This marks the 36^th time that OCU has scored 10 or more runs this season.

Oklahoma City stays in the winners bracket and plays defending national champion Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) College (54-6) on Monday, May 26 at 7 p.m. PST. Spring Arbor, who had its six-game winning streak snapped, will face No. 4 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University (45-11) on Monday at 8:30 a.m.