SEMINOLE – Senior
Alex Schroeder became Oklahoma Baptist's career home runs leader during a doubleheader sweep over New Mexico Highlands on Friday at Lloyd Simmons Field.
The Rocklin, Calif., native passed Josh Collazo who previously attained 46 during the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. Schroeder smacked two bombs on Friday to move his total to 48.
GAME ONE
Starting off Friday's doubleheader, the Bison saw immediate action from NMHU who scored five runs on five hits in the first.
Despite that, OBU, which has made numerous multi-run comebacks the last few years, would rally in its home half of the frame. With the assistance of four walks, two hit-by-pitch and an
Austin Gonzales two-run single, OBU erased the 5-0 deficit and tied the game.
After that, Bison pitchers
Logan Kimbro and
William Ellis, along with the OBU defense, posted five straight scoreless innings for the Cowboys. Kimbro ended up with four strikeouts and induced five ground-ball outs while Ellis earned his second, three-inning save of the season.
With the Bison defense controlling things after a wild first inning, the green and gold's bats continued its onslaught of NMHU. OBU powered through for five more runs in the second and third innings which included Schroeder's record-setting homer.
Troy Shields also got into the mix with a three-run shot in the third. At that point, it was 10-5 OBU.
Until the seventh, Highlands found just three base runners in scoring position. They did add two runs though in that last frame for the final tally. Schroeder and
Will Joseph led the Bison with two hits apiece with Schroeder driving in five.
GAME TWO
During the second contest, OBU was being handled by Highlands pitcher Andrew Rodriguez. Through four frames, he had a no-hitter going. In that time, the Cowboys got up 5-0 which included a pair of run-scoring triples by Chase Stewart and Carlos Chavez.
Surprisingly, NMHU's coaching staff decided to take Rodriguez out after the fourth. What transpired was another comeback. In the bottom of the fifth, Oklahoma Baptist picked up the pace as
Jacob Campbell hit a two-run bomb, his first of the season. That brought the scoreboard to 5-2. Then in the sixth, NMHU's Brandon Casini hit OBU's first three batters. Following a wild pitch that scored
Isiah Lissade, Shields came to the plate and smoked a three-run, go-ahead homer to make the score 7-5.
On the mound, the Bison got solid contributions from
Cameron Pool and
Ryan Turbeville, who was making his first appearance of the season. Pool ended up with a career-high eight strikeouts while Turbeville closed the game and earned his first save.
Tomorrow at 1 p.m., the two teams will meet for the series finale at Lloyd Simmons Field.
