Box Score To start the day in Kansas City, the Mighty Oaks faced off against the six seed, Southwestern Christian University. After a rough first inning, Oakland City showed resilience and fought back to win the game. With this win, the team has secured a place in the championship round.
The Eagles got off to a hot started, plating eight runs in the top of the first inning. After this start, the Oaks were up for a big challenge, trying to come back in this game.
A lead-off walk for
Oliver Hamilton, a single from
Alec Pruitt and a double from
Marcos Arocho allowed for two runs to score in the bottom of the second. An inning later, Oakland City scored four more, getting back in the game and taking the momentum.
Aron Busick and
Noah Baugher started the third with back-to-back singles, with one out,
Oliver Hamilton also singled to load the bases. A wild pitch, allowed all runners to advance a base.
Xander Willis drew a walk, to load the bases back up. Another base on balls followed, this one for
Alec Pruitt, allowed Baugher to score.
Mason Simon singled, driving in the fifth Oakland City run of the game. With two outs, and the bases still loaded,
Leyton Ivers also drew a walk, making it 6-8.
After two innings without much offense,
Fred Fernandez got the boys in baby blue going again, as he went yard to lead-off the bottom of the sixth. With two runners on and one out,
Mason Simon came in clutch with a 2-RBI double. This big hit from Simon gave Oakland City a 9-8 lead after six innings.
The Mighty Oaks added some insurance runs in the seventh inning.
Aron Busick started the inning with a ground-rule double, with two outs,
Oliver Hamilton also doubled to score Busick. A big RBI triple from
Xander Willis followed to bring Hamilton home. Oakland City now had an 11-8 lead going into the eighth. This wound up to be the final score of this game versus Southwestern Christian.
After a rough start for
Thomas King (0.2 IP, 3 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO),
Cole Lambird came in and saved the day. The lefty earned the win, throwing six innings, in which he allowed eight hits, one run (earned), while walking three and fanning two.
Kendric Sorgius got out of a jam in the seventh, recording a strikeout versus the one batter he faced. Closer
Evan Price came in to earn the save. The southpaw hurled two innings, giving up one hit, no runs and no walks, while striking out one.
The NCCAA World Series will continue tonight for the Oakland City Mighty Oaks. They are set to face the lowest remaining seed (that is not Southwestern Christian) in the bracket at 6:00 PM. All the action can be followed
here.
