Clarksville, Ark.-The Eagles opened their American Southwest Conference East Division slate in grand fashion earning a 17-12 win over Texas-Dallas Friday.
Ozarks (4-13, 1-0 ASC) opened the first inning with three runs behind a pair of doubles and a single. Jake West led off with a single, and Mitchell Powers later followed with a double to score the lead-off man. Tony Morales hit a two-out double to score the Eagles’ second run. Chris Driedric then singled in Morales to give Ozarks an early 3-0 advantage. Texas-Dallas (9-8, 0-1 ASC) quickly erased Ozarks’ lead by scoring five runs in the top of the second. Ozarks mounted a comeback in the fifth as Kurt Shemanske and Mitchell Powers drew back-to-back walks to jumpstart the offense. Freddy Prince bunted towards the first base line, but the pitcher dropped the ball on the play allowing Shemanske to score. Morales laced one through the right side of the infield to push across Powers. Driedric chopped one to the second baseman to plate Prince. Ian Bryan looped one to left field to add another run and Tyler Erickson ripped a double to left center field to make it 8-5. Ozarks got one more run when Hunter Guffey recorded a sacrifice bunt to score Erickson from third.
Ozarks’ starter Sam Brownwood settled in after the second frame and did not allow another run the rest of the way. He only gave up two hits in his final five innings.
The Comets did make things interesting in the ninth by scoring six runs and working through three Ozarks’ pitchers. In the end, reliever Jeffrey Works was presented a save opportunity when he was inserted with one out and the bases loaded. Works responded by forcing back-to-back fly outs to earn his first save of the season.
Ozarks pounded out 18 hits and seven different players drove in a run. Shemanske finished 4-for-5 while Powers and Morales each went 3-for-5. Erickson ended 2-for-4 with four RBI. Morales drove in three runs.
Brownwood (2-2) received the win in seven innings of work. He was charged with two earned runs and recorded three strikeouts.
The Eagles will continue their series against Texas-Dallas tomorrow with a double-header starting at 12:00 p.m.
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Topics: Athletics