Clarksville, Ark.-The Eagles completed a three-game American Southwest Conference sweep with a pair of wild come-from-behind wins against Louisiana College Saturday.
Todd Koch took one for the team to push across the game-winning run and cap an improbable 5-4 Eagles’ come-from-behind win in game one, spoiling a solid pitching performance by Louisiana College starter Greg Uzee. The Eagles again used a comeback in game two as they trailed 7-4 in the bottom of the ninth, but tied it on a Jeremy Hogan three-run homer to send it to extra innings. Ozarks then got a pair of runs in the bottom of the tenth, including a David Smith game-winning RBI single, to secure a 9-8 victory.
In game one, the Eagles trailed 4-0 with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but rallied for five runs on just two hits. Prior to the seventh, Uzee had a one-hit shutout going, but Ozarks patiently drew four walks and eventually scored the game-winning run off relief pitcher Zach Christ. The seventh inning rally started when Jeremy Hogan reached base on a walk. Logan Kizer followed with a single to right field. Chris Driedric was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Uzee stayed in the game but walked the next batter, Rusty Cordell, to put the first run on the board. Bobby Osburn drew another run-scoring walk to keep the rally going. The Wildcats made a pitching change, but it didn’t stop the Eagles from producing. Andrew Teaster hit into a fielder’s choice, forcing an out at second, but Driedric crossed the plate to get the Eagles within 4-3. With two outs, David Smith drew the fourth walk of the frame. Pitcher Bruce Cameron then came to the plate and beat out a throw by the short stop to record an infield single, and tie the game at 4-4. Cameron’s hustle down the line extended the frame and brought Koch to the plate, who was nailed in the back to bring in the game-winning run.
Louisiana College hit a solo shot in the third to hold a 1-0 advantage for nearly the entire game. The Wildcats plated three runs in the seventh to make it 4-0. The Wildcats had opportunities to score in both the fourth and seventh inning, but Cameron worked out of jams to keep the Eagles just close enough.
Uzee (3-3) had a no hitter through five innings, but suffered the loss.
Cameron (3-3) received the win in a seven-hit complete game. Ozarks had three hits in the win.
Ozarks found another way to win in game two as Hogan blasted a two-out three-run homer to extend the affair into extra innings. With Smith and Koch on base, Hogan took a fastball over the right centerfield fence for his second homer of the game. Louisiana College manufactured a run in the top of the tenth to put more pressure on Ozarks. Undeterred, the speedy Driedric led off with a walk, but things quickly turned against the Eagles as Wildcat pitcher Matt Long recorded back-to-back strikeouts. However, senior pitcher John Scheuring, hitting for himself, ripped a long double to left center to score Driedric, and Ozarks again had the momentum. Scheuring was replaced at second by pinch runner Jonathan Cox. Smith then delivered the game-winning run on a single to left field.
Scheuring (4-1) tossed four innings in relief to receive the win. Starter D.J. Braswell went four innings and struck out four.
Hogan finished 2-for-4 with four RBI.
Ozarks moves to 15-16 overall and 9-6 in the ASC. Louisiana College drops to 17-16 and 4-8.
The Eagles will travel to Arkansas Tech University for a 6:00 p.m. April 7.
Topics: Athletics