Western Oklahoma State College’s bid to make it to a fifth straight NJCAA Division II begins Thursday at the Region II Baseball Tournament at Bartlesville.

The Pioneers (37-14) open play at 3:30 p.m. against Northern of Enid (35-21). A win would send Western into the winners bracket against the winner of Carl Albert and Redlands. The other first round game has Murray playing Northern of Tonkawa at 7 p.m.

If the Pioneers lose they would go to the loser’s bracket against the Murray-Tonkawa loser.

The finals are slated for 1 p.m. Sunday.

The winner of the tournament will travel to Dodge City, Kan. for the district tournament. Dodge City and Longview, Missouri have already qualified for the district.

Western Head Coach Kurt Russell said he would start lefthander Skyluar Neal (7-4, 3.27) in the first game and right hander Erlin Santos (9-2, 2.39) in the second game.

“I think we’re ready,” Russell said. “We just need to relax. We’re in the right frame of mind.”

Western Statistical Leaders

Batting

Average, - Sherman Lacrus, .406, Esteban Paulla .393

Home runs - Lacrus 9

Triples - Paula 2

Doubles - Randy Joung and Shawn McAndrews 10

Hits - Elvis Rodriguez- 60

RBI - Michael Cruz 46

Runs - Paula 46

Team Totals

Average - .343

Home runs - 56

Triples - 8

Doubles - 90

Hits - 480

RBI - 303

Runs - 330

Pitching

Wins - Erlin Santos 9-2

ERA - Victor Mendez 0.72,

Saves - Mendez 9

Team

Wins - 37-14

ERA - 3.16

Saves - 12