SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist got seven RBI from Brandon Cuddy while Chad Bennett and Blake Whitehead combined on a one-hit shutout for a 12-win over Hillsdale Baptist Tuesday in their NCCAA Central Region opener.
Cuddy and Kevin Olmeda had three this each in a 12- hit outburst by the Bison.
OBU struck early, getting two runs in the first inning on a two-run single by Cuddy.
The Bison added six in the fifth with an RBI double by Olmeda, an RBI single by Hunter Heath, a two-run double by Cuddy, an RBI double by Ryan Joyce and a run-scoring error.
OBU added the final four runs in the eighth on an RBI single by Dustyn Cook and a three-run home run by Cuddy.
Cook and Heath also had two hits apiece.
Bennett (4-1) went seven innings, allowing one hit while striking out eight for the win. Whitehead pitched a scoreless eighth to finish the game.
Now 34-15, the Bison play McMurry at 7 p.m., Wednesday.
Tuesday's other games at Bison Field saw Oklahoma Wesleyan beat Crowley's Ridge, 9-0; Southwestern Christian beat Ecclesia, 11-4 in 11 innings and McMurry beat Dallas Christian 3-0 in 11 innings.
Wednesday's schedule starts at 9:30 a.m. with Crowley's Ridge and Ecclesia meeting in the first elimination game, followed by Dallas Christian and Hillsdale in the second at 12:30 p.m.
In the other winner's bracket game, Southwestern Christian meets Oklahoma Wesleyan at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 per day, with students getting in free with a student ID.
