Babson Park, FL – The Oakland City University baseball squad made their way down to Babson Park, Florida this weekend to play a four-game series versus the number eight ranked team in the country, Webber International University. After three games where the Warriors ended up on top, the Mighty Oaks kept fighting and were able to win the fourth game of the series.
Game 1
After allowing two runs in the first inning on Saturday, starting pitcher
Mick Uebelhor settled in and had a solid performance against a good offense. He ended up pitching 5.1 innings in which he gave up six hits and two runs, he walked none and fanned five.
Luis Pezzotti came in in the bottom of the sixth and came out of a jam.
Kendric Sorgius was responsible for the only Oakland City, when he deposited a ball over the wall in right field for a solo homerun. Webber was able to score three more runs in the seventh inning to make it a 1-5 ballgame. This ended up being the final score in game one. Pezzotti's statline was 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.
Weston Allen pitched the eighth and put up a zero.
Game 2
The second game of the series was scheduled to be a seven-inning game. While the offense was able to create more production, the pitching and defense struggled. The first Oakland City runs came in the second inning when
Pete Britton singled to center field to bring in two runs.
Will Gibbs, who ran for
Moises Rosario (single) and
Hudson Allen (walk) were able to score and tie the game up. Things went downhill quickly for the Mighty Oaks in the bottom of the third. The Warriors scored six on two hits, two errors, five walks and a hit by pitch. This made it a 2-9 ballgame.
Josh Russell connected for a 3-run homerun in the top of the fifth, showing some life for the Mighty Oaks who were now down 5-9. Webber tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 5-12. Oakland City ended up scoring one more when
Dongjoon Shin singled to score
Pete Britton.
Six pitchers toed the rubber for the Mighty Oaks.
Gehrig Tenhumberg (2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) started the game,
Owen Spears (0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO),
Konnor Kreinbrook (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO),
Christian Burgrabe (1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO),
Tyler Butler (0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) and
Logan Swaney (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO) all came in out of the bullpen.
Game 3
To start the day on Sunday, the Mighty Oaks struggled to score runs while also having a hard time preventing runs. Oakland City scored one run in the sixth inning.
Leyton Ivers led-off the inning with a single and advanced to second base on a steal attempt.
Josh Russell moved Ivers to third base, after which
Hudson Allen drive him in with a sacrifice fly. That was the only run the Mighty Oaks were able to score. The Warriors scored eleven runs on nine hits.
Benjamen Simmons (5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) started on the bump for Oakland City, his relievers were
Clark Gries (1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO),
Landen Ray (1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO) and
Ashton Tindle (0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO). The final score was 1-11 after eight innings, when the mercy rule was put into effect.
Game 4
After three tough games, Oakland City came out swinging in game four. In the first inning,
Dicky Gonzalez singled, followed by a
Moises Rosario double.
Noah Boon walked to load the bases before
Kendric Sorgius singled to give the Oaks their first lead of the weekend. With two outs,
Keifer Wilson walked in another run. Webber tied the game back up in the bottom of the second. Oakland City answered right away.
Noah Boon started the inning when he reached base on an error. Two quick outs followed before
Keifer Wilson singled.
Mason Simon struck out but was able to reach base as the Warriors catcher hit Simon in the back while trying to complete the third out of the inning.
Marcos Arocho singled to drive in two runs.
Josh Russell made it 5-2 when he reached first on a fielding error.
Dicky Gonzalez,
Moises Rosario and
Noah Boon all followed with RBI singled, giving the Mighty Oaks an 8-2 lead.
Dicky Gonzalez doubled in the top of the fifth and was able to score when
Moises Rosario reached base on an error. Gonzalez stayed hot as he grew the Mighty Oaks lead in the top of the night. With the bases loaded, he tripled to drive in three more runs. With that, Oakland City University was able to beat #8 Webber International University with a score of 12-2.
Chase Rubenacker started the game for the Mighty Oaks and he did an outstanding job. The tall right-hander pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six hits, two runs (earned), while walking one and striking out five.
Tommy Johnson finished the seventh inning without giving up a hit or run.
Dicky Gonzalez came in to pitch the eighth putting up zeroes all across the board.
Cole Lambird finished up the game without allowing a baserunner.
This was the first time in program history that the Mighty Oaks beat a top ten team in the country.
Next up on the schedule is a three-game series versus Bethel University (IN), the games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
