Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
EDMOND (March 15) – Central Oklahoma exploded for 10 runs in the third inning to rout Lincoln 15-4 in the first game before completing the series sweep with a 14-2 second-game romp completed on Matt Johnson's walkoff three-run home run Saturday afternoon at Wendell Simmons Field.
The two wins extended UCO's winning streak to a season-long seven games as the Bronchos improved to 16-4 on the season and 12-4 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletisc Association. Lincoln fell to 1-15 and 0-12 in conference play.
"Our players had a good weekend overall, in all phases of the game," head coach Dax Leone said. "Anytime you can get a sweep in conference it is special."
The wins also marked the 100th victory for Leone who is now 101-63 in his fourth season at the helm of UCO.
"We feel really good about our system and our players understand the brand of baseball we want to play," Leone said. "Winning 100 games in a little over three years has everything to do with the players and their execution.
"Our assistant coaches also deserve a lot of credit. I am humbled to be the head coach here and appreciate all of our former players too."
Mason Justice came on in relief of starter Kylar Trumbla just four batters into the game after Trumbla gave up a pair of hits and Justice pitched four innings without allowing a hit to earn the victory, improving to 3-1 on the season.
The Bronchos then exploded for 10 runs in the third inning that saw 10 consecutive hitters reach base.
Phillip Wilson had two hits in the inning, including a two-run double as he finished 2-for-3 with three runs batted in. Tyler Crabtree also had a two-run double in the inning and Josh Ingram had a two-run single.
The Bronchos scored five more runs in the sixth. An error by the second baseman kept the inning alive for Ross Rose, who hit a bases-clearing triple that plated three runs and then Rose came home on a passed ball.
UCO continued the offensive onslaught in the second game, scoring 14 runs on 14 hits. Wilson went 4-for-5 with a double, triple and four RBI as he raised his average to .534 (39-for-73).
Ingram, Jake O'Brien and Brad Lamberti all collected two hits, while Lamberti and Johnson each had three RBI. Johnson capped a seven run seventh inning with his three-run blast that ended the game by run rule.
Jared Sterling started the game and pitched five scoreless innings to extend his scoreless innings streak to 18. He's gone 23 innings without allowing an earned run as he improved to 4-1 on the season.
The Bronchos will travel to St. Joseph, Mo. to take on Missouri Western next weekend.
