Austin, Texas-The Eagles battered six pitchers and pounded out 17 hits in a convincing 12-4 win over Texas Lutheran University and then followed with a dramatic 3-2 win against Howard Payne in twelve innings at the Concordia University Texas Tournament Friday.
Against Texas Lutheran (6-2) and for the second straight game, Ozarks (5-1) had a big seventh inning to break open a close game. With the score tied 3-3, the Eagles exploded for nine runs on seven hits. Three straight hits to open the seventh ignited the Eagles, an inning that was highlighted by Nick Brill, who had an RBI double and a two-run single in the frame.
Ozarks scored first when Tony Morales knocked in Sam Shook in the top of the fourth. After the Bulldogs (6-2) evened the score in the bottom half of the inning, Ozarks scored two times in the fifth to move in front 3-1. Ozarks collected three hits in the fourth. Texas Lutheran again answered and scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game.
Offensively, each Ozarks starter had a hit, with Freddy Prince and Brill each finishing 3-for-5. Shook, Morales and Mitchell Powers collected two hits.
Tyler Erickson (2-0) tossed six innings to receive the win. He was charged with three earned runs. Ian Bryan received the save after throwing the final three innings. He was not charged with an earned run and had three strikeouts.
It is the first time in program history Ozarks has defeated Texas Lutheran.
In the nightcap against Howard Payne (6-2), the Eagles found a way late to earn the win. In the bottom of the 12th, Taylor Parker drew a walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Peyton Johnigan followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Parker over to third base. Prince then delivered a clutch hit to score the game-winning run.
Ozarks needed another clutch hit in the bottom of the ninth as it trailed 2-1. It was Brandon Brewer that provided the heroics this time. Brewer came off the bench to pinch hit and promptly recorded a sacrifice fly to score Shook.
Bo Thomas (1-0) picked up the win out of the bullpen. Thomas threw three and one-third innings and struck out three. Jeffrey Works started and went six innings. He also struck out three.
Prince finished 2-for-6 for the Eagles.
Ozarks will play Concordia University Texas at 10:00 am Saturday.
Topics: Athletics