OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The 2012 season for the No. 25 Sterling College Warriors came to a close on Monday with a 3-0 loss to No. 3 Oklahoma City University in the final game of the NAIA Opening Round in Oklahoma City. Sterling was shut out by a Stars team that has been one of the top ranked teams in the country all year long.

Daniel Cloteaux took the mound for the second time for Sterling in the Opening Round and pitched a quality 5.1 innings, giving up three runs, all earned, on nine hits with three strikeouts in the loss.

Matt Eshleman also threw for Sterling, going 2.2 innings and giving up just two hits with two strikeouts.

Pitching was not the issue for Sterling in the game, scoring runs was the issue. Sterling managed just six hits in the game compared to 13 strikeouts. The Warriors' bats were just not able to keep up with the Stars' hurlers.

Blake Schwartz earned the win for Oklahoma City, going 6.0 innings and giving up five hits with seven strikeouts.

Patrick Goelz earned the save for the Starts, throwing the final inning of the ballgame and shutting down the Warrior bats.

Sterling finishes the season as the best team in Sterling College baseball history. The Warriors finished with a school record 45 wins and only had 14 losses on the year.

Oklahoma City advances to the Avista NAIA World Series.