Baseball Blanks Oklahoma City in Historic-Early Home Opener

CRETE, Neb. — Doane Baseball made the most of a program-first opportunity, rolling to a 6-0 win over Oklahoma City on Friday afternoon (Feb. 14) in game one of the series at the Doane Ballfield Complex. The contest marked the earliest home opener in program history, and the Tigers backed it up with a complete-game shutout from senior Kaden Crawford.

Doane (3-2) jumped in front right away in the bottom of the first. Carter Roth opened the inning with a single and eventually came home on an RBI groundout by Max Harris to put the Tigers up 1-0.

The Tigers added on in the second when Johnny Vulcano ripped a leadoff double and later scored on a Sam Kwapnioski sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 2-0.

Doane broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning, taking advantage of patient at-bats and timely contact. Vulcano sparked the frame with his second double of the day, and the Tigers plated four runs behind a hit-by-pitch RBI from Kwapnioski, a run-scoring double play, and a two-run single from Harris that pushed the advantage to 6-0.

From there, Crawford took over. The righty was dominant across seven scoreless innings, scattering three hits while striking out 11 without issuing a walk. He faced just 24 batters and worked efficiently, finishing with 84 pitches as Doane secured the shutout.

At the plate, Vulcano finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored, while Harris went 2-for-3 with three RBI. Roth scored twice and reached base twice from the leadoff spot, and Doane's offense also drew seven walks and swiped three bases.

Oklahoma City (1-8) was held to three hits and struck out 11 times, with Doane's defense playing clean behind Crawford.

Doane and Oklahoma City continue the doubleheader with game two later Saturday in Crete.

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