Weevils Drop Both Ends Of Season Opening Double-Header at Central Oklahoma
February 2, 2008

EDMOND, Oklahoma – The University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team dropped both ends of its season-opening double header at Central Oklahoma with final scores of 6-7 in the first game and 9-2 in the nightcap.
 
Despite a 3-for-4 effort by Josh Hathcox (Bryan, Texas) the Weevils dropped their season opener to Central Oklahoma by only one run.
 
The Weevils’ bats heated up in the second inning where they produced three runs off three singles, a fielders choice, and a sacrifice bunt to take a 3-1 lead.  
 
Starting pitcher Kyle Thaxton (Blytheville, Ark.) got the nod from second year head coach Ron Hill for the first game and went five innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts in a no decision.  
 
Chris Whatley (Sachse, Texas) was given the loss for UAM going 2.1 innings, giving up only 2 hits, but allowing the winning run to score.  The final score was 7-6 in favor of Central Oklahoma. Tyler Bishop got the win for the Bronchos.
 
The nightcap of the double header was not as close. The Weevils were out-hit 5-13 in a 9-2 loss.  While only one error was committed by UAM defensively, the lack of offensive production allowed the Weevils to be shut out until the seventh inning where the two runs were scored.
 
Ryan Pilcher (West Monroe, La.) led UAM going 2-for-3 at the plate.  Ben Miller (El Dorado, Ark.) was credited with both RBI after a 1-for-4 performance at the plate.  
 
UAM’s David Nix (Camden, Ark.) was credited with the loss after pitching 2.2 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits.  The winning pitcher for the Bronchos was Clint Straka.  
 
The Weevils and the Bronchos play the final game of the scheduled three-game series tomorrow (Sunday, Feb. 3), with the first pitch to be thrown at 12 p.m.