Beeville, Tx- Heading into the weekend, the Cougars held a 7-9 record on the young season. CBC would attempt to get back in the win column, after dropping five of the last six games. Western Oklahoma State entered Beeville with a ranking of #18 in NJCAA Divsion II, holding a 8-1 record on the year.
On Friday afternoon, February 22nd the Cougars and Pioneers began the four game series with a nine inning ball game. Western Oklahoma would control the first game from the First inning, moving forward. The Pioneers racked up nine runs to the Cougars one run for the game. Starting Pitcher, Cody Vega would only pitch one and two thirds of an inning for CBC. Vega allowed four walks, three hits and six earned runs for his outing. Arnaldo Garcia entered the game in the Top of the Second inning to relieve Vega. Garcia went on to pitch five and a third of an inning while scattering six hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Christian Isenhour replaced Garcia in the Top of the Eighth inning, striking out the side. Left Handed Pitcher, Devin Aguado made an apperance on the mound during the Top of the Ninth inning for CBC, allowing two hits and recording a strikeout.
The Cougars produced to get five hits during the series opener. Shortstop, JB Trees scored Center Fielder, Kody Kolb for the only run of the game. Both Trees and Kolb went two for three on the day, stealing one base a each. Kolb also drew two Bases on Balls.
For the first game of Saturday's Double Header, Left Handed Pitcher Nolan Cox would recieve the nod for the Cougars. Cox ended up pitched five and a third of an inning, recording two strikeouts, while giving up eight hits and four runs. Mason Foster entered the game in the Top of the Sixth inning with one out and runners on base. Foster pitched one and two thirds of an inning, surrendering one hit and one run, before stranding two runners with a Double Play ball.
The Pioneers would take a 3-0 lead in the Top of the Second inning. Coastal Bend scored their first run of the ball game in the Bottom of the Third when Third Baseman, Knight Newcomb hit a RBI Double to score Shortstop Bret Copeland. Western Oklahoma would add to their lead, by scoring another run in the Fourth inning. Headed into the Top of the Seventh inning, the Pioneers would again increase their lead, 5-1. The Cougars would load the bases in the Bottom of the Seventh inning to begin the inning. Copeland would hit an RBI Single to score Bo Gonzales and cut into the deficit. Newcomb would draw an RBI Walk to score Cooper Coe and make the game 5-3. JB Trees would be patient at the plate as he also drew an RBI Walk to only trail WOSC by one run. With bases loaded and two outs, a CBC Batter struckout to end the game. The Pioneers would escape with a 5-4 win.
The second game of the Double Header would be an interesting game to say the least. Right Handed Pitcher, Michael Dinsdale would start on the hill for CBC. Dinsdale would pitch five complete innings, allowing six hits, five runs, two walks for his outing.
Coastal Bend would get on the board when Trees scored Gonzales with an RBI Single into Right Field. Moving on to the Bottom of the Fifth inning, Jonah Bailey would get the Cougar rally started with a Double into the Left Field corner. Bailey advanced to Third base following a passed ball. After Newcomb drew a Walk, the Pioneers attempted a pick-off at First, but made an Error, scoring Bailey from Third base. Newcomb would advance to Second base. Coe would enter the batter's box next for CBC and would reach First base after getting hit by a pitch. With two outs, Ronnie Bailey Jr stepped up to the plate, crushing a ball for a two RBI Double down the Right Field Corner to score both Newcomb and Coe. The score now 5-4 in the Bottom of the Fifth, First Baseman, Kyle McShaffry would come up to bat with two outs. McShaffry would work the count and draw a Walk. A passed ball during the next plate appearance for Trees would move Bailey Jr and McShaffry to Third and Second base, respectively. Trees would hit a RBI Double to score Bailey Jr to tie the ball game up at five. A flyout would end the rally by CBC. Lefty, Josh Mendez entered the game in the Top of the Sixth inning giving up only one hit and striking out a batter during his one inning of work to keep the Pioneers off the board.
In the Bottom of the Sixth inning, Coastal Bend stranded a runner on third base. Heading to the Top of the Seventh inning, Luis Martinez entered the game to replace Mendez on the mound. Martinez stuck out two opposing batters during the Seventh inning. Going to the Bottom of the Seventh inning, Bo Gonzales would bat first for the Cougars. Gonzales would hit a Solo Home Run to Right Center Field to win the game in Walk-Off fashion. Cougars won the game, 6-5.
On Sunday, February 24th, CBC had their eyes set on splitting the series with a victory. Pitcher, Bo Gonzales would get the start for the Coastal Bend. Gonzales would strike out the side in the Top of the second inning as he went on to pitch four shutout innings for the Cougars. It was not until the fifth inning when the Pioneers broke the zero, zero ball game up with a run. In the Top of the Sixth inning, the wheels fell off for CBC as WOSC scored six runs to lead, 7-0. Gonzales finished his outing, allowing seven hits, seven runs (two earned runs) while striking out eight Pioneers in five and two thirds of an inning. Luis Martinez entered the game in the Top of the Sixth inning, striking out a batter he faced, to get out of the inning. Sterling Craig saw action on the bump as he replaced Martinez before the start of the Seventh inning. Craig allowed two hits, a run and a walk before striking out the last two batters of the inning. Big Lefty, Will Lennon relieved Craig to finish out the Eighth and Ninth innings for CBC. Lennon struck out a batter, walked two Pioneersand only allowed one hit during his outing.
The Cougars went hitless during the nine inning game, losing by final score of 8-0.
Coastal Bend will play in Galveston, Tx on Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 PM for a nine inning game with Galveston College.