THE RUNDOWN
No. 14 DBU (46-15) took a runaway affair against No. 12 Oklahoma State (41-20) to avoid elimination from the Stillwater Regional on Saturday afternoon. The Patriot offensive attack was matched only by a stellar performance by Zach Heaton on the mound.
 
Runs appeared to be at a premium through the first three innings as both teams combined for only one hit through three innings, a solo shot by OSU's Nolan Schubart in the second inning.
 
After going hitless the first time through the order, DBU began to see the ball well out of the hand of the Cowboy's starter, Juaron Watts-Brown. Kodie Kolden and Nathan Humphreys started the fourth by slamming back-to-back home runs to put the Patriots ahead, 2-1. The next batter, Ethan Mann, reached base on a dropped third strike to set up Miguel Santos for a two-run homer, extending the lead to three runs.
 
DBU picked up where it left off in the fifth with seven hits highlighted by RBI doubles off the bats of Humphreys and Santos to add six runs to the total.
 
The home run ball came back into play in the next frame. For the second time in the game, Kolden hit a leadoff homer, and two walks by Humphreys and Mann preceded another long ball by Santos to make the score, 14-1.
 
The Patriots continued to pour on the runs in the seventh. With two outs and runners on first and second, Mann doubled to drive in Luke Heefner. Santos then stepped up to the plate to mash his third home run of the afternoon, a three-run blast to give DBU 18 runs.
 
Despite giving up the game's first run, Zach Heaton dominated on the mound for his squad. The redshirt senior limited OSU to only two hits and one run through six innings of work before giving up a pair of singles, a walk, and a run in the seventh and handing the ball to Reece Beuter.
 
Two batters after Beuter came into the game, the Cowboys' David Mendham shoved Carson Benge across the plate for their third run.
 
Roc Riggio tacked on an additional run in the eighth with a leadoff solo shot, but the Patriots would ultimately prevail to stay alive in the Stillwater Regional.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Zach Heaton went 6.1 innings, striking out six batters while surrendering only three runs on four hits and one walk.
- DBU's runs (18), hits (19), and home runs (6) are all the most the Patriots have amassed in a postseason game. The 18 runs are also one shy of tying their season high.
- Both Kodie Kolden and Miguel Santos had four-hit days. They went a combined 8-11 with 11 RBI, seven runs, one double, and five home runs.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
9 - Miguel Santos' nine RBI ties the program record for RBI in a game.
46 - DBU's 46 wins tie the program record for wins in a season (2015).
80 - With two RBI on Saturday, Ethan Mann has 80 on the year and is one away from tying Jason Krizan's program single-season record.
 
DAN HEEFNER ON THE DBU BATTING LINEUP
"We got some good hitters.… Coming into the season, we felt like we had a very deep lineup. That it was kind of a one-through-nine. It's not just going to be top-heavy.… It can really happen from anybody. That's one thing we've seen this year. They kind of trade places. It's just being consistent, having good at-bats.… It's truly just been a team mentality, and I think it's a big part—their work ethic, the way they show up every day, the type of teammates they are. Like what happened today…they didn't let up. They just kept going, and I think that's because of how much they care for each other."
 
UP NEXT
The Patriots' next game will be Sunday at 2:00 pm. The Patriots await the winner of Saturday evening's game between Oral Roberts and Washington.
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