focus on athletics
OCU played to a 3-2 loss to Azusa Pacific (Calif.) on Nov. 29 in Decatur, Ala., ending its season at 19-3-1 in the NAIA women’s soccer championships second round. “We came up a little bit short in the end, but it was a great season for the girls,” OCU coach Brian Harvey said. “If you’ve got to go out as a senior, I think it was a good way to go out.” Malin Andersson netted the first goal of the match with an assist from Sheridan Horner. Blerta Rashica scored unassisted for OCU’s other goal. Andersson and Brittany Tibbs were named honorable-mention all-Americans. Tibbs, Ashton Glover, Josefine Holmgren, Lauren Kolker, Abby Lloyd, Alex Miley and Brittany Pressley became NAIA scholar-athlete award winners, while Tibbs was a CoSIDA academic all-American.
Former Star helps Giants to World Series victory Oklahoma City University’s own Freddy Sanchez produced on baseball’s biggest stage in helping bring the San Francisco Giants a World Series triumph in November. Sanchez, who became a 2000 NAIA all-American shortstop with OCU, aided the Giants in capturing their first World Series victory since 1954, when the Giants were in New York. In the 106th Fall Classic, Sanchez hit .273 with three doubles and three RBIs. Sanchez became the first player ever to pound doubles in his first three World Series at-bats in the Giants’ 11-7 Game 1 victory on Oct. 27. He equaled the Giants record for hits in a World Series contest. Sanchez became the first OCU alum coached by current coach Denney Crabaugh to Freddy Sanchez make the majors. Former Star pitchers Joe Bisenius and Chris Schroder later joined Sanchez in the majors. “I don’t have the words to describe how happy I am for him,” Crabaugh said. “We couldn’t be happier for him or more proud of him.” Sanchez ignited the Giants offense in Game 1 with a 4-for-5 with three runs driven in and three runs scored against Cliff Lee. In the postseason, Sanchez recorded a .270 average with four doubles and four RBIs. He led the Giants by hitting .360 in the National League Championship Series. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Giants
OCU advances to national women’s soccer tournament
Blaser inducted into GCAA Hall of Fame
Brittany Tibbs
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f o c u s s pring 2011
OCU men’s golf coach Kyle Blaser became a Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Famer on Dec. 6. Blaser has led the Stars to more NAIA men’s golf championships than any coach—in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010. “I am very honored and humbled by this recognition,” Blaser said. “Our success would never have been possible without OCU’s support of men’s golf, a dedicated and supportive family and outstanding student-athletes who chose OCU as Kyle Blaser a place to mature at and to play for me.” Blaser has won 11 regional titles and 12 conference championships entering his 14th season as OCU coach. He has coached four NAIA individual champions and seven SAC individual champions. Blaser has been awarded the Eaton Golf Pride national coach of the year six times. He has been recognized as NAIA coach of the year six times, the most of any individual.