University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Stern, Schoonover Boost Bronchos

4/5/2011 9:25:58 PM

Ryan Schoonover

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EDMOND (April 5) – Jordan Stern pitched eight shutout innings and Ryan Schoonover put Central Oklahoma in control with early home run as the Bronchos toppled Science and Arts of Oklahoma 6-1 Tuesday under the lights at RedHawks Field.

It was the initial night game of the season for the Bronchos, who were making their first-ever appearance at the home of the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

Stern dominated on the mound while pitching on just three days rest, with Schoonover's three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning staking UCO to a quick 3-0 lead that was more than enough.

The Bronchos improved to 13-20 with their second straight win, while USAO dropped to 21-14.

Stern, who pitched 5 2/3 innings and took the loss in UCO's 7-6 Lone Star Conference setback to Abilene Christian last Friday, went the distance and didn't give up a run until allowing a one-out solo homer in the top of the ninth.

The senior right-hander scattered six hits, struck out 10 and walked only two while throwing 122 pitches on the night in improving to 3-4 for the season.

Schoonover wasted little time in putting the Bronchos on top, belting his sixth home of the year in the bottom of the first. Keegan Morrow drew a one-out walk and Tyler Hancock followed with a single before Schoonover planted an 0-2 pitch eight rows into the left field stands.

UCO made it 4-0 in the second when Arrow Cunningham singled to right field and then raced all the way around to score when USAO's shortstop threw the ball away on a Tucker Brown grounder.

The Bronchos added another run in the sixth on Brown's RBI single that scored Cunningham, who had drilled a two-out double to keep the inning alive, and it became a 6-0 cushion on Kevin Blue's solo homer down the left-field line in the seventh.

Cunningham's 3-for-3 performance at the plate led UCO's eight-hit attack, while Schoonover added a bunt single to his homer.

The Bronchos return to league play this weekend, traveling to San Angelo, Texas for a three-game series with Angelo State on Friday and Saturday.

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