Clarksville, Ark.--Ozarks finished strong in their three-game series against Mississippi College, picking up a 9-3 win in American Southwest Conference East division play on March 12.
The Eagles (12-5, 1-2) put up three runs in the top of the first to give freshman pitcher Curt Dixon enough to help him earn his third win of the season. In the first inning, Anthony Brandon and Todd Koch each collected an RBI. Ozarks added one run in the second and three more in the fourth to hold a 7-2 lead going into the fourth inning. Dixon then cruised through two more innings giving up just one run. Kyle Hudson came in relief and pitched three innings of scoreless ball to finish out the game and record a save. The Eagles pounded out 12 hits in the game, with eight different players tallying at least one hit. Brandon went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Koch went 2-for-5 with 3 RBI. Dixon (3-0) stuck out three batters in the win. In the double-header opener, the Choctaws gained a 12-4 victory. Mississippi College held a 9-2 lead after three innings of play and went on to hold Ozarks to two runs over the next four innings to seal the game. Robby Finnell doubled in Caleb Hilton to give Ozarks a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Hilton recorded an RBI in the second when Hudson crossed the plate. After holding a 5-2 lead after the second, the Choctaws scored four runs in the bottom of the third to put the game out of reach. Ozarks had eight different players record one hit apiece. Brian Heckmann (4-2) received the loss. He had four strikeouts in two and two-third innings. Ozarks will host Austin College (3-12, 0-3) in a three-game ASC East division series beginning this March 18. Ozarks will name its baseball field in honor of former longtime coach and instructor Lonnie Qualls in a special dedication ceremony on Friday. The ceremony to name Lonnie R. Qualls Field will begin at 1:30 p.m., just before the Eagles’ 2 p.m. game. The public is invited to the ceremony and the game.
Topics: Athletics