After a smattering of opening series the last weekend of January, almost every Oklahoma college baseball team played the first weekend of February. Here are five things you should know.
1. OCU and USAO Have Made Cases To Be SAC’s Top Teams
OCU and USAO collectively went 5-1 over the first weekend with the “1” being controversial against the Drovers. Both teams left no doubt this weekend as they both swept their series and are now a collective 11-1 after 2 weeks.
OCU had to come back and walk off 2 wins against LSU-Alexandria over the first weekend. They didn’t need to do that this weekend as they dominated Clarke University over 3 games. The Stars scored at least 10 runs in all 3 games (10, 10, 11) and only gave up a total of 9 runs over the 3 games.
The Stars will step up in competition this coming weekend as they play 2 games vs Concordia who is opening their season at OCU coming off a 40-18 season and a birth in the national tournament. OCU will also play 2 games vs Bellevue who are preseason ranked #7.
USAO had an axe to grind with McPherson this weekend as the Drovers were described as “solid” by the Bulldogs head coach.
McPherson came into Chickasha receiving votes in the preseason poll, but it was USAO who dominated the series. The Drovers outscored the Bulldogs 33-10 over the 3 games.
USAO travels to Louisiana this weekend to play in the Cajun Collision. Their 4 opponents are Georgetown (KY), Loyola, Louisiana Christian, and LSU-Alexandria.
2. UCO Isn’t A Very Good Host
And that’s a good thing!
The Bronchos hosted the annual Edmond First Pitch Classic this past weekend and they won all 4 games. UCO beat East Central and New Mexico Highlands twice, and they also won the marquee matchup of the festival against Oklahoma Baptist.
UCO jumped out to a 3-0 lead over OBU, but after the Bison tied it 3-3, the Bronchos scored 3 late and beat the GAC foe 6-3. The matchup featured the 2 highest preseason rated teams in Oklahoma in D2.
UCO travels to Arkansas-Monticello for 4 games this weekend.
3. Southeastern Oklahoma State Opens the Season With a Sweep
After being on some preseason watch lists in 2023, the Savage Storm had what some considered a disappointing season.
If the first weekend is any indication, the 2024 season looks to be a lot better. The Savage Storm swept UC Colorado Springs 10-1, 5-4, 11-4 and didn’t trail all weekend.
Reid Rice blasted 2 home runs and added a triple, and Cory Bonstrom knocked in 6 runs over the 3 games.
Cameron Hauch had a quality start as he pitched 6 innings, with 0 earned runs and 5 Ks.
4. Never Count Them Out
Northwestern Oklahoma State had a difficult task this weekend. They were hosting a Metro State Denver team who is coming off a 42-14 and ranked #5 in their region’s preseason poll.
The Rangers got down in games 1 & 2, but they came back and walked both games off. NWOSU was down 4 runs in game 1 and down 3 runs in game 2.
Carson Wright, a JUCO transfer from Dodge City CC, hit 3 bombs on the weekend including the a game tying one in the 9th inning of game 1.
5. OC Splits with UT Tyler
Normally we wouldn’t be talking about a team splitting a 4 game series 2-2 on “Five Things,” but when that team is coming off a 13-37 season where they finished 2-21 in their last 23 games, it gets out attention. Also, when the team they played is coming off a national tournament appearance, and is ranked #19 in the preseason, it definitely gets our attention.
Hank Heiselbetz led the way for the Eagles as he slashed .357/.438/.714 with a HR, 2 2B, and 4 RBI.
OC hosts Arkansas-Ft Smith in a 4 game series this weekend.
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