Baseball Downed in NAIA Tournament Opener

Doane Baseball opened the 2023 NAIA Opening Round Tournament at Bellevue on Monday afternoon. The game started two hours late due to overnight rain and was played in a constant drizzle throughout. Oklahoma City was able to win out in the end, 5-2, as both team's pitchers combined to strike out 26 batters.

The game featured the conference Pitcher of the Year for both teams representing their respective conferences, Aaron Forrest for Doane and Eli Davis for Oklahoma City. Davis would end up the victor in the match up as he threw a complete-game four-hitter. 

The Stars scored a run in the top of the first inning on a steal of third and an advancement home on an error. Doane came back in the bottom of the inning as Joe Osborn led off with a double and scored on an RBI-single from Justin Nevells.

A solo home run to start off the fourth inning put OCU back in front and they would not look back. They added a run in the fifth and two in the eighth. Doane's final run came in the bottom of the ninth as Nate Mensik scored on a fielder's choice by Narumi Okayasu.

Forrest went 6.0 innings for the Tigers, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out nine batters. Raidyn Steele threw 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Jake King threw the final 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out three. As a staff, the Tigers struck out a season-high 14 batters.

Four different players collected hits for Doane as Osborn doubled with singles coming from Mensik, Luke LaChance, and Nevells.

Doane takes the field again on Tuesday as they take on either Grand View or Bellevue at noon in the consolation bracket.