Box Score (html)
 
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Baseball scored 11 runs and tallied 16 hits in Friday's series opener against Henderson State, but it wasn't enough as the Reddies put up 19 runs on 20 hits to claim the game-one victory.
 
On a day where the wind was blowing 25-40 miles per hour with gusts up to 54, both teams swung the bats well and produced more than enough offense to win on a normal day. But given the conditions, it was a matter of who could take advantage of the weather more and that proved to be the Reddies.
 
The Bulldogs trailed 1-0 after the first half inning after surrendering a triple which came in to score one batter later. Bryan Miranda quickly got the score back even though when he tripled to lead off the bottom half of the first inning, and he too scored one batter later.
 
Those were two of seven triples hit in the ball game, with SWOSU responsible for four of those.
 
SWOSU never led at any point during the game and was forced to play from behind the entire rest of the way.
 
The Dawgs had the game within one run at 4-3 in the third inning and 7-6 in the fourth inning, but could never fully eliminate their deficit as Henderson eventually extended their lead to seven and finally eight runs in the game's final two innings.
 
Cooper Cantwell (L, 5-4) got the start on the mound and surrendered 12 runs (nine earned) while striking out four batters and walking two in 4.2 innings of work. Brant Millerborg and Tyler Barnett made relief appearances out of the bullpen and both surrendered three earned runs each.    
 
At the plate, Brady Burtner had himself a day – finishing 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Robert Perea also found success and finished 3-for-4 at the dish with three RBIs to his credit. Bryan Miranda, Chase Duncan and Jason Nichols all finished with two hits apiece.
 
Originally slated for a 1 pm start time on Saturday, the series will now conclude tomorrow at noon in Weatherford when the teams play the doubleheader portion of the schedule.