Northwest Missouri State Athletics

MARYVILLE, Mo. — An early five-run deficit proved too much to overcome for the No. 23 Northwest Missouri State baseball team as it dropped the series opener to the University of Central Oklahoma, 11-3, on Friday at Bearcat Baseball Field.
 
Central Oklahoma improved its record 25-23 and 16-18 in the MIAA while Northwest dropped its record to 34-14 and 24-10 in the conference. 
 
Central Oklahoma surged ahead in the first inning with a commanding performance, scoring five runs. Drake Lee hit a two-run homer, driving in Colton Ayres, who had reached base on a walk and advanced on a failed pickoff attempt. Elijah Alexander added to the lead with a three-run homer. UCO led 5–0 after the first inning.
 
Northwest managed to hold UCO scoreless through the second to fifth innings, but the opponent extended its lead in the sixth. Luke Stout hit a solo homer followed by a sequence that saw Gage Gilchrist score on Drake Lee's single. UCO held a 7–0 advantage after six innings.
 
In the seventh, Carson Taylor doubled and later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Kade Sheldon, increasing the lead to 8–0. Northwest remained scoreless through its half of the inning.
 
The eighth inning saw UCO add another run via a sacrifice fly by Drake Lee. Northwest responded with a three-run inning. Leonardo May singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Frank Gall. Chester Brooks singled and scored on a two-run homer by Jeremiah Cabuyaban. The score stood at 9–3 in favor of UCO after eight innings.
 
In the final inning, UCO added two more runs on a sequence that included an RBI single by Colton Ayres. Northwest was unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, resulting in an 11–3 victory for UCO.
 
Ben Haug delivered a strong performance with 8 strikeouts over 6 innings, despite allowing 7 earned runs on 9 hits, including 3 home runs. Haug had not given up a home run in his previous 6 games and had only allowed 5 total home runs this season prior to today's game. Dylan McIntyre pitched 1 inning, conceding 1 earned run on 1 hit and issuing 1 walk. Noah Williams contributed 1 inning of relief, striking out 1 while allowing 1 earned run on 1 hit and 2 walks. Bronco Whitt faced challenges in his 2/3 inning appearance, surrendering 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk. Jase Johnson closed the game, throwing 3 pitches and recording 2 strikes in 1/3 of an inning without allowing any runs.
 
Jeremiah Cabuyaban made a notable impact by hitting a home run and driving in two runs. Chester Brooks contributed with two hits and scored a run. Leonardo May added to the offense with a hit and scored after being hit by a pitch.
 
Next Up:
Northwest and Central Oklahoma will continue their series tomorrow with game two of the three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Bearcat Baseball Field.