MASON, Ohio –
Nick Burnham hit two home runs – including a grand slam – and drove in eight runs as Oklahoma Baptist opened NCCAA World Series action Thursday with a 15-2 win over Ecclesia.
After relinquishing two unearned runs in the first, the Bison tied the game in the bottom of the second on an RBI double by
Nick Burnham and an RBI single by
Joseph Moran.
A.J. Merkel worked out of a two-on, no-out jam in the top of the third.
OBU took a 4-2 lead in the third on an RBI grounder by
Hunter Heath with an error before Burnham ripped a three-run home run.
Kevin Olmeda doubled and scored on an RBI single by
Zane Gelphman in the fourth for an 8-2 lead. After a double by
Josh Timms,
Juan Gonzalez produced an RBI single for a 9-2 lead. A walk by Heath set up Burnham's grand slam and his fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth RBIs of the game.
Gonzalez added an RBI double and Heath and RBI single for a 15-2 lead in the fifth.
OBU had 15 hits, getting three each from Burnham and Gonzalez and two apiece from
Zane Gelphman, Joe Moran and
Dustyn Cook.
Merkel went six innings and fanned three while allowing the two unearned runs to improve to 5-2 on the season.
The Bison return to action at approximately 8 p.m., Central, to take on Alice Lloyd College.
The win is career victory 1297 for OBU Coach
Bobby Cox.
