University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Homer Fest

3/16/2015 8:43:00 PM

Ethan Elroy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 16) – Ethan Elroy smashed three of Central Oklahoma's school- and conference-record nine home runs as the Bronchos blasted Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association rival Lincoln 31-7 here Monday afternoon.

UCO also set a school record for runs scored while banging out 32 hits in the contest that ended after seven innings on the 10-run rule. The Bronchos improved to 9-10 on the season and 5-6 in the league in completing a three-day, four-game series sweep of the Blue Tigers.

"Any time you can get a sweep in conference play its momentum you've created for your team," head coach Dax Leone said. "I thought our assistant coaches did a great job all weekend getting these guys ready to hit and play our brand of baseball.

"Baseball is the ultimate game about the players and they showed today what our expectations are here at UCO."

Elroy and Tyler Hatcher both went 5-for-5 at the plate with five runs batted in to lead the impressive offensive assault. Hatcher also had two of the team's nine homers, while Jake O'Brien, Dilon Argo, Dylan Tinkler and Jacob Borrego also went deep for the Bronchos.

Daulton Leiker earned the pitching win, giving up four hits and two runs in four innings while striking out seven.

UCO took control quickly with a six-run volley in the top of the first as Tinkler and O'Brien both jacked out two-run homers and the Bronchos paraded 17 batters to the plate in a 14-run second inning to grab a 20-0 lead.

Borrego, Argo and Hatcher belted consecutive homers during that big inning, with Borrego's long ball driving in three runs before Argo and Hatcher followed with solo shots. Elroy gave UCO its fourth homer of the inning with a two-run rip, while Isaac Hellbusch and Brad McDonald added two-RBI base hits.

Elroy also homered in the fourth and fifth innings and Hatcher blasted a grand slam in the fourth.

The Bronchos return home this weekend to host Lindenwood for a four-game conference series, starting with a single game Friday.

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