OKLAHOMA CITY – Mark Purser struck out two batters in the seventh inning to help Oklahoma City University salvage a split with Lyon (Ark.) 9-7 on Saturday at Jim Wade Stadium.
The Stars, ranked third in NAIA baseball, dropped the first game of the doubleheader 6-2 as Nick Salahub of Lyon had a solid pitching performance. The Stars moved to 14-2 on the season with the split.
Purser, a junior from Spokane, Wash., entered the game in relief of Brad Riddle in the seventh inning and shut down the Lyon rally in game two. Lyon entered the seventh trailing 9-3 and managed four runs in the inning before leaving the bases loaded.
OCU pushed across four runs in the first inning and led 6-0 after three innings of play. Dearth Parker ripped his second home run of the season in the first, a two-run shot over the centerfield wall. The Stars scored their third run of the inning on an errant throw to first base by the Lyon catcher on a dropped third strike. Chad Carman delivered an RBI single to give OCU a four-run lead.
Kirk Walker singled up the middle to score Steve Vitale in the third inning. Carman added another RBI single to give OCU a 6-0 lead later in the inning. Carman, a sophomore from Midwest City, finished 2-for-3 in the game with two RBIs.
Cody Crabaugh, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., picked up the first victory of his career by pitching 5.1 innings and striking out four. Crabaugh allowed seven hits and three earned runs, while walking one. Riddle relieved Crabaugh and allowed four runs on three hits in one inning of work.
The Stars struggle on offense in game one against Lyon. OCU scored both of its runs in the second inning. Brian Fisher doubled in the first run to tie the score at one. The Stars took a 2-1 lead when Purser reached base on a fielding error.
Lyon added two run in the third to regain the lead and never trailed again.
Terrance Jackson, a junior from Greenville, Ala., picked up the loss, allowing six runs on six hits in 4.2 innings. Jackson, who struck out seven batters, dropped to 2-1 on the season.
OCU will host Briar Cliff (Iowa) on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. at Jim Wade Stadium.
Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore
