OKLAHOMA CITY (JimmieAthletics.com) – After recording double-digit runs and hits in a 14-4 win against York (Neb.) earlier in the day, the University of Jamestown baseball team had the favor returned Monday evening by Oklahoma City University in a 19-8 loss in the Opening Round Oklahoma City Bracket.
Jimmie starter Chase Thometz (SR/Sandy, OR) worked around a first-inning single and walk to keep the Stars off the board, but the host team tagged the UJ right hander for eight runs on seven hits in the bottom of the second for an 8-0 lead. All eight runs came with two outs.
Pete Pennylegion (SR/Ferndale, WA) led off the UJ third inning with a double, then moved to third on a single by Tanner Roundy(JR/Henderson, NV). Taichi Sasaki (SR/Sakai, Osaka, Japan)’s base hit scored Pennylegion to make it 8-1. Kory Wolden (SR/West Fargo, ND) was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Jaden Yackley (JR/Lynnwood, Wash.) hit into a 4-6-3 double play allowing Roundy to score UJ’s second run of the inning.
Lane Milligan hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third to extend Oklahoma City’s lead to 9-2.
Roundy’s RBI single and a two-run double off the bat of Sasaki in the fourth brought Jamestown within four runs at 9-5.
Elliott Cary homered with one out in the bottom of the fourth and Joe Lytle doubled home two more runs as the Stars stretched their lead to 12-5.
Jamestown scored once in the fifth to make it 12-6, only to see Oklahoma City add two runs on the board in the bottom half to go ahead 14-6. The Stars put two more on the board in the sixth for its first 10-run lead of the game.
In the seventh inning, UJ capitalized on a fielder’s choice and a balk for two more runs, but the Stars responded with three runs on four hits, including a two-run home run by Shaun Corso, and went ahead 19-8.
Thometz (10-1) suffered his first loss of the season. He lasted three innings and gave up nine runs on 10 hits, walked five, and did not strike out a batter. The next four Jimmie relievers did not fare any better against the Oklahoma City lineup, combining to allow 10 runs on nine hits in 3 and 2/3 innings. Kaleb Binstock (JR/Grand Forks, ND) worked the final 1 1/3 innings for UJ, striking out four of the five batters he faced.
J.R. Holloway went six innngs for Oklahoma City, and surrendered eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits. He walked four and struck out six in improving his record to 9-0. Tyler Milligan relieved Holloway to begin the seventh and pitched three innings of one-hit ball, striking out two.
Sasaki was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and drove in three. Pennylegion had three hits and scored twice. Roundy finished with a pair of hits, runs, and RBI.
Corso, Branden Grieger, Daniel Costello, and Hunter Aguirre all had three hits for Oklahoma City. Lytle, Cary, and Lane Milligan each finished with two hits. Aguirre and Garrett Foster also went deep for the Stars.
Oklahoma City (48-7), the bracket’s top seed, plays No. 3 seed Central Methodist (Mo.) (41-14) at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The first game of the day begins at 11:00 a.m. as No. 5 York (Neb.) (26-27) and No. 2 Mobile (Ala.) (42-16) meet in a loser-out contest. The winner of York/Mobile faces the No. 2 Jimmies (42-10) at 6 p.m. in another loser-out game.
UPDATE (11:15am): The tournament is currently in a one-hour weather delay.