FORT WORTH, Texas – The Texas Wesleyan University baseball team (30-7, 11-4 SAC) took a 2-1 series win over No. 5 Oklahoma City University (30-6, 11-4 SAC) at Sycamore Park on Saturday. The Rams had a 23-game home win streak snapped in a 9-4 game loss before outscoring OCU in 14-10 slugfest in game two.
The Rams and Stars now sit a half game back of No. 12 Science & Arts (28-6, 11-3 SAC) in the SAC standings, with (RV) Southwestern Christian (26-8, 10-5 SAC) in fourth at 1.5 games behind the lead.
On a cold and very windy day that saw seven home runs, the Rams held off a relentless Oklahoma City team in the best series at Sycamore Park this season.
In game one, the Stars established an early 4-1 lead, highlighted by a Peyton Crispin two-run double down the right field line in inning one.
The Rams picked and prodded at Stars pitcher Jake Patterson taking a run in each of the fourth and fifth innings to cut the lead to just one run at 4-3.
Sheadion Jamanika plated an unearned run after a string of Stars error gave favorable conditions to the Rams.
Caden Williams made it a one-run game on a sacrifice fly to deep right-center.
Enter Caleb Davis. The Stars DH delivered a sixth inning grand slam to put the game of reach.
Ironically, the Rams returned the favor in game two.
Tanner Amaral,
Alan Campero, Jamanika,
Brooks Wallace and Williams teamed up to hit for the cycle in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach for Oklahoma City.
The Stars posted a pair of runs in opening frame of game two. The Rams answered in the bottom half with five-hit, five-run onslaught.
Jeddediah Fagg ripped a two-run double down the left field line before
Tanner Amaral blasted a two-run home run to left to highlight the inning.
The Stars chipped away, gaining runs on a Bryson Lierle solo shot to left. Two more crossed in the top of the fifth to make a one-run ball game at 6-5.
Then, the Rams unloaded. Amaral lit up the sky with his second home run of the game to open scoring the inning.
Brayden Bahnsen added another on a sacrifice fly. Campero scored on a wild pitch after hitting a double to left-center. Williams hit a triple in close to the same spot and was awarded home after an errant throw went out of play for an 11-5 lead.
The Stars responded with a two scores in the sixth, making it an 11-7 game. The Rams were unsatisfied, adding three more runs in the bottom of the inning for a 14-7 advantage. Jamanika laid into one that sailed over left field wall.
OCU did not go down without a fight, posting three runs in the top of the seventh, but the Rams were able to slam the door.
Amaral had five RBI on the day, including two runs in game two.
The Rams will take on Jarvis Christian at Sycamore Park on Tuesday, April 2 in a double header starting at 1:00 p.m.
