Box Score

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK:  The Texas Wesleyan University baseball team (17-14, 8-5 SAC) suffered a 6-2 loss in the opener of a three-game series at 11th ranked Oklahoma City University (21-9, 10-3 SAC) on Friday.
 
The Rams roared out of the gate against OCU starter Chris Pike.  Pike entered the game with a 1.77 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 40.2 innings this season.  He was just one start removed from notching a perfect game with 18 strikeouts and a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts in consecutive games.
 
Tyler Kamtz singled in the first and scored on a double from Jake Howeth.  Two batters later, Jake Howeth gave the Rams a 2-0 lead with a base hit.
 
The Stars responded with singles from Kyle Lacy, Connor Lynch, and Forrest Smith in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 2-2.
 
The Rams loaded the bases with nobody out in the second, but Pike induced a 1-2-3 double play and ended the threat with a strikeout.  That was the start of a streak of 14 consecutive outs recorded by the OCU right hander.
 
Meanwhile the Stars got single runs in the third and fourth inning and then stretched the margin to 6-2 with two runs in the seventh.
 
Pike (6-1) allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out seven in eight innings of work.  Alex Lopez (2-4) took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out seven in 6.2 innings of work.
 
Adam Turpin went 2-for-4 with the loss.
 
The two teams will complete their three game SAC series with a doubleheader on Saturday.  Game one is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start.