SHAWNEE- The Cavaliers (28-18, 11-9 SAC) achieved two milestones that no other team in program history has ever met, which is to beat the nation's top ranked team in a series, and the other is to win a series against Oklahoma City University (41-8, 18-3 SAC). The Cavaliers took down OCU in a thrilling 2-1 win on Thursday night at OCU, and then the Cavs grabbed another thrilling win over the No. 1 team, in walk-off fashion, in game one of the Saturday double-header at SGU. The Cavs won game one 3-2, thanks to a walk-off single from Armando Fajardo (JR/San Mateo, Calif.), which scored Cecil Jennings (FR/Noble, Okla.) from second base. The Stars came back with a vengance in game two, with a 10-4 win, but the Cavs still take the series win.
In game one of the double-header on Saturday, at Bill Nicklas Field, the Cavaliers were given another brilliant pitching performance from Mychal Yarbor (JR/Bandon, Ore.). The Junior pitcher from Oregon, went all 7 innings, allowing just two runs on 5 hits, and he struck out 7 batters, to improve to 8-3 on the season.
The Cavs were able to get on the board first, when they scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Lujan-Leonard (JR/Moore, Okla.) scored the first run of the game from third base, when Jose Gonzales (SO/Houston, Texas) stole second. Adrian Soltero (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.) then scored when an infielder misplayed a groundball, off the bat of Jordan Martin (SR/Moore, Okla.). OCU would cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth inning, and then the Stars tied the game at two, in the top of the sixth inning. Yarbor was able to hold the Stars scoreless in the top of the seventh, giving the Cavs the chance for a walk-off win. Cecil Jennings led off the inning by earning a walk, and then the 5-5 Freshman, stole second to get into scoring position with only one out. Connor Parsells (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.) was then intentionally walked, due to the Stars hoping they'd be able to induce a double-play ball. Armando Fajardo quickly spoiled the Stars plans by ripping the game winning single into the left-center gap, easily scoring Jennings for the win.
Connor Parsells, Armando Fajardo, Ryan Lujan-Leonard, and Brandon Marerro (JR/Carolina, Puerto Rico) each went 1-3, to account for all four of the Cavs hits in game one. Fajardo and Jordan Martin picked up one RBI a piece for St. Gregory's.
In game two, Oklahoma City came out with something to prove as they took an early 6-0, with 6 runs in the top of the second inning. St. Gregory's cut the Stars lead to 6-1 in the fifth inning, when Jose Gonzales scored on a grounder hit by Tyler Hebert (JR/Huffman, Texas). OCU added three more insurance runs in the top of the sixth, to make their lead 9-1. SGU was able to put together a quick rally in the bottom half of the inning by scoring two runs on a two-RBI double from Brandon Marerro. Each team added one more run in the seventh, but it was too little to late for the Cavs as the Stars took the series finale, 10-4.
Clay Doyle (SO/Kiowa, Okla.) went 1 1/3 innings for the Cavs and he was handed the loss, while Roberto Delgado went 5 2/3 for the Stars, earning the win. Grant Schamburg (JR/Weatherford, Okla.) pitched strong in 5 2/3 innings of releif for the Cavaliers.
Connor Parsells and Connor McCoy (JR/Highland, Calif.) wach led the Cavs with 2-3 performances at the plate, and Brandon Marerro went 1-3 with a two-RBI double. Jordan Martin went 1-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Brady Kokojan (JR/Drummond, Okla.) and Armando Fajardo each added one hit a piece.
The Cavaliers are now in sole possesion of fourth place in the SAC, with only No. 18 USAO, No. 13 TWU, and No. 1 OCU ahead of them. St. Gregory's will finish conference play next weekend with a series against Mid-America Christian, but before then they will finish a suspended game with USAO on Monday, April 24 in Chickasha, and then they will take on Oklahoma Baptist the following day, at OBU.