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2009 Baseball Schedule Released
Click Here for the Schedule
Alumni Game a Big Hit
The Varsity soundly defeated the Alumni by a score of 7-2. The alumni's only two runs came on a 9th inning two-run homerun by Brad Wibbeler. Mighty Oak Coach T-Ray Fletcher earned both a win and a loss in the event by coaching the Varsity and playing for the Alumni.
There were 27 returning alums for the day that raised just over $1000 for the Baseball program. Coach Fletcher states, "A big thank you needs to go out to all the alums that have helped make our program what it is today."
Jesse Simmons won the annual home-run derby by knocking 3 dingers with the wind blowing in.
OCU GOES 1-2 at NCCAA Nationals
The Mighty Oaks trip to the NCCAA National Tournament lasted 3 games after an opening
9-7 victory over Cedarville. OCU ran into top seeded Malone for a tough 7-5 loss that threw them into the losers end of the double elimination tournament. The Oak's hopes were dashed by 6-5 by sixth seeded Bethel. Mt Vernon Nazarene went on to win the title.
OCU entered the championships seeded 8th and ended the season with an 11-29 record.
Click here for final tournament results.
Mighty Oaks Advance to NCCAA Nationals!
OCU's Seniors were honored before the first game of the regionals.
The Mighty Oaks won the NCCAA Mid-East Regionals last weekend. With the win, OCU advaces to the National Championships at Geneva College in Struthers, Ohio. The Mighty Oaks beat Mid-Continet 5-3, Blufield 2-1, and 11-0 to advance. Please click here for the National Tournament Website for more info.
2008
Oakland City Baseball
Season Outlook
The 2008 Mighty
Oak baseball team will look to build on last seasons finish. This season’s
squad returns three starting position players and seven pitchers. With
the addition of the new transfers and freshman class, the Oaks will
look to improve upon last season’s twenty win campaign.
PITCHERS
The 2008 rotation will be anchored by fifth-year senior Phil Reinbrecht
(Gibson Southern High School). Reinbrecht led the starting staff in
2007 with a 3.65 ERA. He was a member of the NCCAA Mid-East All-Region
team last season. Phil will be helped with the addition of two transfer
pitchers: Kyle Switalski (Lincoln Trail) and Harry Turney (Lansing Community
College). Senior Chris Scates (Olney Central) will also look to add
valuable depth to the rotation with his steady improvement over the
summer and fall. The other spots will be a close battle among Senior
Ray Cintron (Wabash Valley), Sophomore Andrew Pirillo (Rend Lake), and
Chris Guess (Vincennes University). Rounding out the pitching staff
will be the left handed tandem of Trent Creek (Lindenwood University)
and Clay Thornberry (Webster County High School) and Right Handers Jace
Merkel (Southridge High School), Maykel Makarem (Wabash Valley), and
Bo Daves (Pike Central). Daves will be looked upon to close for the
2008 pitching staff.
OUTFIELD
The Mighty Oaks return two outfielders that saw extended play last season
in Dallas Williams (Mississippi Valley State) and Kellen Higginson (Gibson
Southern High School). Williams led the team last season in Runs (42)
and Stolen Bases (17). Higginson led the team in Doubles (13) and was
second in Hits (50). Help will also come from junior right fielder Maykel
Makarem (Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela). Makarem tied a single season
record as a sophomore with fifteen home runs in 2006. Rounding out the
outfield will be Bo Daves, Trent Creek, John Hand (Loogootee High School),
and Jonas Cueche (Barcelona, Venezuela).
INFIELD
The infield will be led by Seniors Josh Miller (Dexter High School)
and Nic Skinner (Castle High School). With the left side held down by
the seniors the right side will consist of all newcomers. Second base
will be filled with either freshman Jacob Martin (Butler County High
School), or sophomore Elvis DeAbreu. First base has been a wide open
competition among junior Mark Kirkman (Reitz High School), freshman
Gustavo Bencid (Caracas, Venezuela), and sophomore Clay Thornberry.
Left side of the infield depth will come from sure handed freshman Jorge
Tauil (Hopkins Central High School). Also adding depth to the infield
will be freshmen Brian Jones (Owen Valley High School) and Merkel.
CATCHERS
The catchers will be led by Juniors John Feltner (Indiana State) and
Mike Reed (Mount Vernon High School). Feltner adds experience and leadership
behind the plate. He is a spark plug offensively, and he will be looked
upon to give the team a boost both offensively and defensively. Reed
knows the staff well and has been in the program for two seasons. He
brings talent and familiarity to the position that will help him handle
the staff. Steven McNabb (Shakamak High School) will round out the catching
corps.
THE SCHEDULE
The 2008 schedule includes a road contest at the University of Evansville
and games against two nationally ranked NCAA II opponents in the University
of Southern Indiana (10th) and the University of Montevallo (16th).
The season will also be highlighted by the Oaks annual trip south. The
team will travel to Port Charlotte, Florida for spring break. The trip
will include seven games in five days. Also on this season’s schedule
are perennially strong NCAA II schools Saint Joseph’s College,
the University of Indianapolis, Saginaw Valley State, Kentucky Wesleyan
College, and Tiffin University. Head Coach T-Ray Fletcher commented,
“The schedule is tough but the challenges will make us a better
ball club entering post-season play.”
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