OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University pummeled Southwestern Christian 15-5 on Thursday at Dolese Park to retain its perfect Sooner Athletic Conference record.
OCU's J.J. Bissell spearheaded the Stars' offensive showing by going 4-for-5 with three runs and a RBI, including a solo home run in the second inning. Oklahoma City, ranked 15th in NAIA baseball, improved to 20-8 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
Jared Baker went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, while Cory Linn finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs.
The Stars got on the scoreboard early as they pushed across two runs in the top of the first inning on a Dylan Delso RBI double and a run-scoring single by Baker.
The Eagles and Stars then traded one-run half innings until the top of the third when OCU plated three runs to stretch its lead to 6-2. Linn singled-in Skyler Bean, Garrett Foster's sacrifice fly scored Linn after Bissell hit a double, then Hunter Marcum's double brought Bissell around to score.
OCU stretched its lead in the fourth with four runs on a fielder's choice and three RBI singles to make it a 10-2 game.
Southwestern Christian cut the OCU lead to 10-5 in the sixth inning on a RBI double and a two-run single which chased the Stars' starter Carlos Chavez out of the game. Chavez notched four strikeouts on 5.2 innings pitched and received the win to go to 3-1 on the season.
The Stars broke the game open in the eighth inning by scoring five runs on three SCU errors, a wild pitch and a Joe Lytle sacrifice fly to move ahead 15-5.
OCU's leadoff hitter Dilon Argo went 1-for-2 with four walks and a run, while Delso and Marcum nabbed two-hit games.
Southwestern Christian dropped to 19-5 on the season and 4-3 in conference play.
The Stars and Eagles play the second game of their three-game series at 6 p.m. Friday at Jim Wade Stadium.