Baseball 4/5/2021 11:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Visits Oklahoma Christian

OKLAHOMA CITY – The University of Central Oklahoma baseball team will visit Oklahoma Christian Tuesday evening for a non-conference clash that serves as the second game of three between the schools this season.

Central Oklahoma is 12-9 this season and has won four of five heading into Tuesday's game. Oklahoma Christian is 14-9 and has a six-game win streak in the works. The two schools met in Edmond March 16 and Central Oklahoma won 20-0.

"They are a good team and they're playing really well right now," UCO head baseball coach John Martin said. "We're going to have to be focused and we need to come out strong right out of the gates."

Central Oklahoma takes a .292 team batting average to Oklahoma City Tuesday. The Bronchos are averaging 7.6 runs per game on 10 hits per game this season through 21 games played. UCO has scored 160 runs this season and has 212 total hits, with 35 doubles, six triples and 19 home runs.

Garrett Takamatsu leads the UCO offense. The junior catcher/utility infielder is hitting .425 through 20 games played. He has a team-high 31 hits including nine for extra bases. Takamatsu has four doubles and four homers to go with one triple. His 20 RBIs are the second most in the lineup and he's tied for fourth with 19 runs scored.

Kyle Crowl, a senior shortstop, is second on the team with a .367 batting average. Crowl leads the Bronchos with eight home runs this season, nearly equal to the 10 he hit in twice as many games his junior season. Crowl's 29 hits are second to Takamatsu and he is also second in the lineup with six doubles this season.

Ryan Harrel, hitting .342, has 25 hits in 21 games. The senior outfielder has 17 runs scored and 17 runs batted in. Philip Scott, hitting .318, has 27 hits in 21 games. The senior third baseman leads the team with eight doubles and has scored 19 runs this season.

Defensively, Central Oklahoma takes a 4.99 team ERA to Oklahoma City Tuesday. The Bronchos allow 5.2 runs per game on 8.4 hits per game with opponents hitting just .256 against the Bronchos. UCO is also one of the better pitching staffs when it comes to not allowing walks. Central issued one walk in three games against Washburn this past weekend and has just 73 all season, an average of just 3.4 per game.

Oklahoma Christian is hitting an even .300 as a team through 23 games played. The Eagles average 8.5 runs per game on 10.3 hits per game this season. Defensively, OC has a team ERA of 6.98 and opponents are hitting .282 against the Eagles. Oklahoma Christian allows 8.0 runs per game on 10 hits per game.

UCO will pick back up its conference schedule this weekend. The Bronchos host Northwest Missouri Saturday and Sunday for a three-game MIAA series. Central Oklahoma will host the Bearcats of Maryville, Mo. for a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. before the third game Sunday at the same time.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Kyle Crowl: IF; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

#2 Ryan Harrel: SS; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#27 Philip Scott: 2B/3B; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#33 Garrett Takamatsu: C; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#12 Kyle Crowl
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#2 Ryan Harrel
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: SS

#27 Philip Scott
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: 2B/3B

#33 Garrett Takamatsu
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: C