OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University posted a 15-0 romp over Belhaven (Miss.) en route to the NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round Oklahoma City Bracket title Saturday at Jim Wade Stadium.
The second-ranked Stars (46-10) clinched their fourth consecutive trip to the NAIA World Series with the win. OCU put together four World Series trips in a row for the second time in program history.
OCU reached the World Series each year from 2002-05, making the championship game each time and winning the NAIA title in 2005. Kirk Walker joined Matt Sharp as Stars who have been to the World Series four times. Sharp was on each of those teams from 2002-05.
The Stars will aim for their second national championship on May 27-June 3 in Lewiston, Idaho. OCU will be joined by host Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) and the other eight opening-round tournament winners.
“These guys have worked hard,” OCU coach Denney Crabaugh said. “We're ecstatic to get back. Ever since the beginning of the year, we've said we're going to Lewiston and bringing back a banner. That's our goal and our focus.”
The Stars knocked out 20 hits for the eighth time this year. Austin Messerli, a senior from Norman, Okla., went 5-for-6, scored three times and drove in five runs for OCU.
Messerli's role has grown throughout the year. He's hit .494 with five home runs and 21 RBIs, but in 79 at-bats.
“Talk about someone who's waited his turn,” Crabaugh said of Messerli. “He got some at-bats early in the year, then he started playing against left-handers, then he got some hits. We decided we needed him in our lineup. He's earned his right.”
Miguel Beltran, a junior from Long Beach, Calif., went 4-for-6 with a run scored and two RBIs for the Stars, while Chad Carman, a junior from Midwest City, Okla., was 3-for-5 with two runs brought in.
Ruben Sosa, a junior from Lawrence, Mass., was 2-for-6 with a run scored and an RBI, and Walker, a senior from Bakersfield, Calif., went 2-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Stars. Matt Presley, a senior from Colorado Springs, Colo., was 2-for-4 with three runs scored.
Rich Hawkins and John Ragsdale combined on a four-hit shutout for OCU. Hawkins, a junior left-hander from Edmond, Okla., worked 8.2 innings, walked one and struck out three. Hawkins (10-4) benefited from 12 groundouts, including three double plays.
“We have a lot of confidence in our defense,” Walker said. “Rich pitches to contact. We know when the ball is on the ground somebody's going to make a play.”
Hawkins stranded two Belhaven runners in the fourth inning to preserve his third combined shutout of the year.
“Look at the zeroes on the scoreboard,” Crabaugh said. “Hawkins doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he's a competitor. Hat's off. I had a great feeling about him.”
OCU built a 5-0 fifth-inning advantage. Presley filled the bases by reaching on an error, then Messerli doubled to deep center field to clear them. The Stars plated seven runs on five hits and three errors in the top of the ninth.
Messerli also drove in the Stars' first run in the second with a base hit to right to score Presley.
No. 20-ranked Belhaven advanced to face OCU with a 7-6, 12-inning win over 18th-ranked Fresno Pacific (Calif.). Belhaven led 6-1 in the third inning, but Fresno Pacific rallied with five runs in the ninth. Belhaven scored in the top of the 12th.
OCU owns the most wins in college baseball since 1991. OCU has posted 12 consecutive 50-win seasons and 16 40-win campaigns in a row.
Boxscore
NAIA Championship Opening Round
Oklahoma City Bracket
At Oklahoma City
Jim Wade Stadium
Thursday's Results
Doane (Neb.) 9, Texas-Brownsville 2
Belhaven (Miss.) 10, Fresno Pacific (Calif.) 9, 10 inn.
Oklahoma City 10, Doane 5
Friday's Results
Fresno Pacific 10, Texas-Brownsville 1, UTB eliminated
Oklahoma City 10, Belhaven 9, 10 inn.
Fresno Pacific 9, Doane 2, Doane eliminated
Saturday's Results
Belhaven 7, Fresno Pacific 6, 12 inn., FPU eliminated
Oklahoma City 15, Belhaven 0, championship
