Mountaineers Drop Series Against Howard

Game 1:

Rey's Three-Hit Night Powers Eastern Oklahoma State Past Howard, 7–4

Caleb Rey delivered a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run, double, and single to lead Eastern Oklahoma State College to a 7–4 victory over Howard College on Friday.

Eastern jumped on the scoreboard immediately in the first inning when Zach Brame lined a full-count double to bring home the game's opening run. Howard answered in the bottom half, capitalizing on an error and a sacrifice fly from Isaiah Shivers to even the score.

The Mountaineers regained control in the third. Cole Edmondson came through with a two-run single, giving Eastern Oklahoma a 4–2 advantage.

Howard pulled back even in the fourth inning when Ethan Guzman launched a two-run homer to center field, tying the game at 4–4.

Eastern responded again in the fifth. Edmondson delivered once more, singling to drive in the go-ahead run and put the Mountaineers ahead 5–4. Rey then provided the separation in the sixth inning, crushing a two-run home run to left field to extend the lead to three.

Jackson Green started on the mound for Eastern Oklahoma State, striking out six over four innings while allowing four runs, only two of which were earned. Declan Murphy followed with a scoreless inning of relief, earning the win. Nate Harkins also tossed a shutout frame. Cole Girard closed the door to record the save.

Howard starter Ryder Melsa allowed four runs over four innings. Ian Reid was charged with the loss in relief.

Eastern Oklahoma State collected nine hits in the contest. Edmondson finished 2-for-3 with a team-high three RBIs, while Rey led the offensive effort with his three-hit performance. 

Game 2: 

Mountaineers Drop High-Scoring Contest to Howard, 16–8

Eastern Oklahoma State College struck first but could not keep pace with a powerful Howard College offense, falling 16–8 Friday in a high-scoring matchup.

The Mountaineers opened the game with an early run in the first inning when a balk allowed the game's first score. Howard responded immediately, erupting for six runs in the bottom of the inning to seize control. The key hit came off the bat of Ethan Guzman, whose two-run single highlighted the rally and gave the Hawks a 6–1 advantage.

Howard continued to build its lead in the second inning as Austin Frye and Colton Klapprodt each connected for home runs, pushing the margin to 9–1. The Hawks added more offense in the third on an RBI groundout by Isaiah Shivers and a solo homer from Andrew Lind.

Eastern Oklahoma State battled throughout the game and plated eight runs, with JM Long and Gamble Bye each driving in two runs to lead the Mountaineers offensively.

Landan Morse started on the mound for Eastern Oklahoma State, allowing six runs — only one earned — in two-thirds of an inning. Ethan Goodband was charged with the loss in relief, while Alexander Woods worked three innings and struck out three.

Howard starter Gredan Wolf earned the win, allowing six hits and eight runs (three earned) over three innings while striking out five. The Hawks totaled 12 hits and also drew nine walks at the plate.

Shivers led Howard with three RBIs, while Frye, Guzman, and Klapprodt each collected two hits. David Hernandez, Sam Distel, and Shivers paced the Hawks' plate discipline with two walks apiece.

Game 3:

Howard Shuts Out Eastern Oklahoma State, 15–0

Eastern Oklahoma State College ran into a hot Howard College lineup Saturday, falling 15–0 in the series matchup.

Howard wasted little time taking control, scoring six runs in the first inning. David Hernandez started the rally with an RBI double, followed by a run-scoring single from David Ruesca. Andrew Lind then broke the inning open with a three-run triple, and Ethan Guzman added a sacrifice fly to cap the frame.

The Hawks continued their momentum in the second inning when Austin Frye singled home a run and Isaiah Shivers launched a two-run home run to center field, extending the lead to 9–0. Howard added another run in the third on an RBI single by Ruesca before putting the game away in the fourth with a five-run outburst. Lincoln Schroeder delivered a three-run single, Hernandez added an RBI single, and Ethan Tolbert drove in a run on a groundout.

Brandon Green took the loss for the Mountaineers, allowing nine runs (eight earned) over two innings. Howard starter Owen Skinner dominated on the mound, striking out 10 over five scoreless innings while surrendering just one hit.

Cole Girard accounted for Eastern Oklahoma State's lone hit.

Howard finished with 17 hits on the day. Sam Distel led the Hawks with a 4-for-4 performance from the leadoff spot, while Schroeder and Lind each drove in three runs. Hernandez and Ruesca also recorded multiple-hit games, and Frye added two stolen bases. The Hawks played clean defensively and did not commit an error.

Game 4:

Mountaineers Fall to Howard College, 13–3

Eastern Oklahoma State College dropped Saturday's contest to Howard College, 13–3, as the Hawks used early power and a big middle innings to secure the win.

Howard set the tone in the opening frame when Austin Frye launched a grand slam to center field, giving the Hawks an immediate four-run advantage.

The Hawks added to the lead in the third inning as Colton Klapprodt connected on a three-run home run to center, stretching the margin. Howard then broke the game open in the fourth, scoring five runs on five hits. Sam Distel drove in a run with a single, Frye added an RBI double, Andrew Lind delivered a two-run double, and Ethan Tolbert drew a bases-loaded walk to plate another run.

Ethan Oatman took the loss for Eastern Oklahoma State, pitching three innings and allowing nine runs (six earned) while striking out four. Howard starter Caiden Perardi earned the victory, giving up three runs on six hits over 4.1 innings with four strikeouts.

The Mountaineers collected six hits in the game. Bryson Carey, Clayton Sanders, Cole Edmondson, Kade Matthews-Boudreaux, Caleb Rey, and Kooper Johnson each recorded a hit. Sanders, Rey, and Cole Girard drove in Eastern Oklahoma State's runs.

Howard totaled 12 hits offensively. Frye led the Hawks with a 4-for-4 performance and six RBIs, while Distel added three hits. Howard also played clean defense without committing an error.

Eastern Oklahoma State will look to regroup in its upcoming games at Coffeyville Community College this weekend.