OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University topped Northwestern Oklahoma State 15-13 on Monday at Jim Wade Stadium in the Sooner Athletic Conference baseball tournament.
OCU's Matt Presley struck out Vincent Valdez with a runner on first base to finish the contest after a nearly two-hour rain delay. The Stars (42-13) advanced to the 4 p.m. game Tuesday.
Northwestern attempted to mount a rally as Tom Huddleston brought in a run on a grounder, then Wade Schwerdtfeger had an RBI single. Then rain came down and tornado sirens sounded at Jim Wade Stadium.
OCU battled with four runs in the top of the ninth. Presley and Terrance Jackson led off the inning with back-to-back homers. Presley crushed a 1-2 change-up to left, and Jackson launched a full-count pitch over the net beyond the left-field wall.
Valdez pounded a homer to left to knot the game at 11 runs each in the bottom of the eighth for the Rangers.
Northwestern had a five-run sixth inning to close its deficit to 11-10. Huddleston brought in a run on a groundout, Schwerdtfeger had an RBI base hit and Valdez nailed an RBI double. Tom O'Gorman had a sacrifice fly, and Zach Theademan drove in a run on a single.
OCU seized the advantage with a seven-run fifth inning. Jackson brought in a run on a bases-loaded base hit up the middle of the infield, then Steve Vitale and Garrett Regan drew back-to-back walks with the bases full.
Kirk Walker went home on a balk, then Chad Carman pummeled a 2-0 pitch over the left-center wall for a three-run home run.
Northwestern took the lead with a five-run fourth. Juan Natal had a two-run double, then Theademan tied the game with an RBI single up the middle. Quinton Haynes added a run-scoring groundout, and Richard Burdick drove in a run on a single to right.
The Stars built a 3-0 lead through three innings. In the second, Mark Purser reached home plate on a balk. Vitale knocked in a run a base hit to right.
OCU made it 3-0 on Nathan Bryan's RBI fielder's choice grounder in the third.
SAC Tournament schedule revised
Due to the rain delay, Game 4 of the tournament featuring Northwestern and Rogers State has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Each of the tournament's games have been pushed back by one game on the original schedule. The championship game is now scheduled for noon Thursday with an if-necessary game to follow.
The conference tournament champion and runner-up will be assured berths in the NAIA Championship Opening-Round Tournament on May 18-21.
Boxscore
Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
At Oklahoma City
Jim Wade Stadium
Monday's Games
Game 1: Lubbock Christian 12, Rogers State 8
Game 2: Oklahoma City 15, Northwestern 13
Game 3: Southern Nazarene vs. Wayland Baptist
Tuesday's Games
Game 4: Rogers State vs. Northwestern, 10 a.m.
Game 5: Lubbock Christian vs. Loser Game 3, 1 p.m.
Game 6: Oklahoma City vs. Winner Game 3, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 4, 7 p.m.
Wednesday's Games
Game 8: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, noon
Game 9: Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 3 p.m.
Thursday's Games
Game 10: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9, noon, championship
Game 11: If necessary, 3 p.m.
