Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

O'Connor puts hitting shoes back on, defeats Oregon team

March 25, 2014 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


After being forced off course by a loss to Fayetteville, Ark., on Monday (March 24), Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor’s baseball team found a winning route on Tuesday (March 25) and took a 10-0 triumph at home in five innings (10-run rule) over Lake Oswego, Ore., as the Coach Bob National Invitational Tournament continued in the Valley.

SDO’s record in the tournament improved to 4-1, and its overall mark is 9-3. The Eagles continue tourney play with two games on Wednesday (March 26) against Elizabeth, Colo., and Pine Creek High of Colorado Springs.

The Eagles pounded out 15 hits, five coming in the first inning when they scored six runs.

“It was a tough game for us last night (Fayetteville). We couldn’t get many hits, but we were able to come back today and score,’’ said SDO coach Jeff Baumgartner. “The fact that we were able to get those six runs early helped us relax and focus. Our players have a lot of pride in their hitting.’’

The team spread the wealth with its hits and its RBIs. Greg Saenz drove in two in the first, Cameron Ming drove in a run in the third, and Max Peters drove in one with a sacrifice fly in the fourth and what proved to be the decisive run with a single in the bottom of the fifth.

Sophomore left-hander Tanner Baker had a strong game on the mound, giving up two hits.

Baumgartner said Baker was making his second start of the year. He has not allowed any runs as a starter and only one as a reliever.

Prior to the loss to Fayetteville, SDO had defeated Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas, Yreka (Calif.) and Americas (El Paso).