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Baseball comes from behind, wins 10-9
LAWTON, Oklahoma (April 15) – As part of today’s McMahon Foundation Day festivities, the Cameron Aggie baseball team (30-16, 23-13 LSC) hosted the Central Oklahoma Bronchos (29-18, 20-15 LSC) in the final game of their season series. Both teams battled throughout the contest but Cameron came out on top 10-9. Cameron now holds a 4-1 series advantage over Central Oklahoma this year.
“It feels good to get a win today, especially against a team as good as UCO,” Head Coach Todd Holland said. “They are always tough and although today was a non-conference game, it was a nice win.”
Although both CU and UCO compete in the Lone Star Conference, since today’s game was the fifth match-up between the teams this year it will be counted as a non-conference contest. Therefore it will not affect either team’s conference record.
Seniors Charlie Calamia (shortstop) and Michael Levi (first base) hit back-to-back homeruns in the bottom of the first inning to get things rolling for the Aggies. Both homers were towering shots over the leftfield wall.
The Aggies opened up with a quick 3-0 lead and looked as if they would be in control throughout the game. CU held their three-run lead through the first two innings but then the Broncho bats came alive. UCO scored 8 runs over the next three innings, due in large part to a grand-slam, and went up 8-3 after five innings.
Then it was Cameron’s turn to bounce back. The Aggies lit up the Bronchos for 7 runs of their own over the next two innings to hold a 10-8 lead going into the final inning. UCO made it interesting with a run in the top of the ninth to make it 10-9.
In the top of the ninth the Bronchos had two runners in scoring position with two outs left in the game, and the tying run just 90 feet away at third base. Coach Holland then brought in his closer, junior Jason Smith, who recorded the save after getting the final two outs. Smith has 7 saves on the season.
“I’m glad our guys were able to come from behind to win it,” Coach Holland said. “It’s tough for a lot of teams to come from behind and win, but we showed today that we are capable of doing that.”
Freshman Cody Plunk got the start for CU, but was replaced in the fifth inning by junior James Maxwell. Maxwell (4-3) recorded the victory after pitching 4.1 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits. He faced 17 batters and threw 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.
As mentioned previously, today’s action was all part of McMahon Foundation Day at Cameron University. The CU Athletic Department also hosted a cookout to show their appreciation for all the support the McMahon Foundation has given to Cameron and the Aggies. Bratwurst, hotdogs, and hot links were grilled and served to all those in attendance. Tours of the new baseball clubhouse were also offered.
“Our athletic program would like to once again thank the McMahon Foundation and President Ross for all of their generosity and support of Cameron University and the Aggies,” Coach Holland said. “I thought today was a great event; it helped that we played pretty well and were able to get a win.”
Additionally, the seven McMahon Foundation board members were brought on the field to throw out the ceremonial first-pitch. Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen 2007, Jamie Butemeyer, sang the national anthem at home plate prior to the game.
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