MASON, Ohio – Oklahoma Baptist got strong pitching and hitting in its 16-0 win over Toccoa Falls to open pool play in the NCCAA World Series Wednesday.
Chad Bennett, who combined with Blake Whitehead for a one-hitter in the Central Regional, got a one-hitter on his own Wednesday, going seven innings and striking out five in the mercy-rule shortened game.
"Chad just went out and set the tone," siad OBU Coach Bobby Cox. "The offense did the job. Kevin Olmeda had some great plays. Couldn't ask for any better start, really."
The Bison had 16 hits, including four from Ryan Joyce, three each from Dustyn Cook and Hunter Heath and two apiece from Brandon Cuddy and Kevin Olmeda.
OBU jumped out to 3-0 lead with unearned runs in the first inning, getting an RBI single by Joyce and a two-run double from Felipe Gonzalez after two TFC errors.
The Bison added two in the second on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Cuddy and an RBI double by Joyce. Olmeda added an RBI single in the third for a 6-0 lead.
Cuddy added another sacrifice fly in the fourth for a 7-0 lead.
The Bison scored nine times in the sixth inning, collecting eight hits, including two doubles by Cuddy. Cook and Heath also had two hits in the inning.
Heath singled in a run to make it 8-0 and four runs scored on back to back errors for the 12-0 lead. Cook and Heath added RBI singles, Cuddy had an RBI double and Joyce singled in the final run.
The Bison play at 7 p.m., Wednesday against Oakland City, which upset Judson 2-1 in the first game of the day in Pool A.
In Pool B, Warner beat Southwestern Christian 9-7 and Campbellsville beat Trinity Christian 11-1.
