Howard College Baseball Takes Series Against EOSU with Three Consecutive Run-Rule Victories

The Hawks of Howard College hosted Eastern Oklahoma State with a four-game series on the schedule. 

Friday's doubleheader ended in a split day of action with the visitors taking a 7-4 win in Game 1 and the Hawks taking Game 2 with a 16-8 final. 

After a change in location due to weather, Saturday's games held big outcomes for the Hawks as the red and black took the first game of the day with a 15-0 shutout and the final game of the series ending in five innings as well at 13-3. 

''We've got plenty of areas we're excited to improve in, but there were also a lot of positive takeaways. I'm most proud of this groups ability to respond after losing game 1 which led to 3 consecutive run rule victories. They were met with a challenge and a call to action, and they delivered with the kind of effort that matches this team's identity. I'm proud of this weekend's effort and look forward to what's in store'', commented Head Baseball Coach Trevin Sonnier. 

Game 1

The first game saw Eastern Okla. State total seven run on eight hits with three errors. The Hawks had a pair of innings with a couple of runs across, falling short and ending with a 7-4 final for the visiting team. 

Ethan Guzman led the Hawks at the plate with a homer and a couple RBI. Sam Distel has a double and finished two for three with one run scored. Austin Frye also had an RBI for the red and black. 

Ian Reid (L, 0-1) took the loss after 1.1 inning on the mound, giving up three runs, two earned, on three hits, walking a pair and striking out two. 

The starting arm for the Hawks, Ryder Melsa, led the team with four strikeouts across 4.0 innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits and walking a couple. 

The home team finished the first game with four runs on five hits and two errors. 

Game 2

The second game saw a newfound energy amongst the red and black with a huge opening frame and consistent offensive efforts. The Hawks had six runs in the first inning, three in the second and third, and another four runs in the seventh, totaling a 16-8 final over the visitors. 

Howard College had four home runs with help from Frye, Isaiah Shivers, Andrew Lind, and Colton Klapprodt. Shiver had three RBI, Klapprodt had a pair, and Frye added a couple as well. Distel and David Hernandez each had one RBI and David Ruesca and Guzman finished with two RBI each. 

"Things are starting to click for the boys. Coach Sonnier's speech lit a fire within the team, resulting in three run rules in a row'', stated Frye. 

 Lincoln Schroeder also contributed to the offensive efforts with a double.

Gredan Wolf (W, 2-0) got the win for the Hawks after 3.0 innings on the bump, giving up eight runs, three earned, on six hits, walking four and striking out five. 

Max Moore had a nice outing with five strikeouts in 3.0 innings, giving up no runs and no hits. 

Cooper Rodgers also gave up no runs and no hits, striking out a pair in 1.0 innings. 

Game 3

Game 3 was all Howard College after five innings fending off the visitors and totaling 15 runs to end the game early. 

Another six-run first inning got things moving for the Hawks, followed by another trio of runs in the second, one run in the third and five runs in the bottom of the fourth. 

Shivers had the lone homer of the game for the red and black, finishing up the first game with two RBI. 

Andrew Lind led the team in RBI (3) after a big triple for the Hawks. 

David Hernandez had a double and a couple RBI. Ruesca and Schroeder added a pair of RBI as well. Guzman and Frye each finished with one RBI to add to the total for the Hawks. Frye also stole a couple bags for the home team. 

Owen Skinner (W, 1-0) got the win after a complete game, going all 5.0 innings on the mound, giving up one hit, no runs, walking one and hitting double digits in strikeouts with 10. 

"Overall, the weekend went really well on every side of the ball. Our lineup gave the pitchers the run support we needed, our defense was making plays, and our pitchers were minimizing runs. Having such a big lead when I was pitching made my job a lot easier, all I had to do was fill up the zone and I did just that. I'm excited to be part of this squad moving forward, everything is starting to come together at the best times. It's going to be a fun season'', commented Skinner.

The Hawks totaled 15 runs on 16 hits with no errors. 

Game 4

The series finale was a nice ending to the weekend of action, closing out the run with Eastern Oklahoma State with a 13-3 victory for the Hawks. 

The opening inning saw four runs across for HC while the Hawks tacked on another three in the third, five in the fourth and one in the fifth. 

Frye and Klapprodt each left the yard. Klapprodt finished with three RBI and a double form Frye as well totaled six RBI for the game. Hernandez and Jaxon Wylie each had triples. Ethan Tolbert finished with an RBI as well. 

Caiden Perardi (W, 1-1) took the win after a 4.1 inning outing, giving up three earned runs on five hits, walking a pair and striking out four. 

Gage Galvan closed out the afternoon for the Hawks with 0.2 innings on the mound, giving up no runs, no hits, walking none and striking out two. 

The red and black finished with 13 runs on 11 hits and one error.

"I am proud of our guys' overall effort during this weekend's competition as well as the resilience that was displayed when met with unexpected issues surfacing on our field which affected their normal preparation along with our stadium's surface/field of play. When faced with uncertainty due to rain causing parts of our field to be deemed unplayable, they remained dressed and ready for the call. Thanks to Lamesa High School for their beautiful turf facility, we got the opportunity to compete and complete our home stand'', stated Sonnier.

Next up for the Hawks is a trio of games Thursday, Feb. 19 & 20 in Waco, TX, where Howard College will face McLennan Community College at 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. on Thursday and 1 p.m. on Friday.