BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (5-26-09) – The Oklahoma Wesleyan baseball team topped off one of their best seasons with a bid into the 2009 National Christian College Athletic Association World Series in Mason, Ohio.
The still relatively young Eagle squad struggled getting the bats going in their two games at the national event, but reaching the tournament was a milestone in itself, not qualifying for it since the 1980’s.
This season the Eagles finished with a record of 29-26, playing some of the best teams in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, including NAIA World Series qualifier Bellevue (Neb.), Park (Mo.) and a non-conference juggernaut in Oklahoma City University. Oklahoma City entered the NAIA World Series as the No. 2 seed, taking on Lubbock Christian today (Wednesday) in a final four match up.
With one of the best starts in school history at 15-3, the Eagles fought through adversity on and off the field, including injury issues, setting themselves up for a late season run the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference. In the MCAC, the Eagles swept Central Christian (Kan.) four games and split four games versus rival College of the Ozarks (Mo.)
In their rain shortened NCCAA Regional tournament, Oklahoma Wesleyan won the first game over Crowley’s Ridge (Ark.), 6-3, and falling to Colorado Christian, who also is a member of the NCAA Div. II, 10-7. The tournament was originally a double-elimination event, but due to rain, was changed to single.
At the plate this season, the Eagles were lead by second year player JD Nalder, who racked up 66 hits with a .402 average. Nalder also played well in the small ball philosophy of the coaching staff, stealing 27 bases. He was also key in helping Daniel Simmons, who led the team in runs batted in with 41.
On the mound, Nick Randolph and Chance Stevens led the way. Randolph, 9-6 on the season, led the time in earned run average at just over five a game, while Stevens, 7-7, finished the year with 78 strikeouts.