Clarksville, Ark.-Freshman right-hander Grady Finley threw six innings and struck out five in his first collegiate start on the mound and freshman centerfielder Dean Igert recorded a timely two-run single to push the Eagles past Ecclesia College 4-2 Saturday afternoon.
Finley worked his way around a 2-0 deficit after Ecclesia (11-11) posted two hits and two runs in the first inning. Finley would allow only four hits and didn’t give up another run after the first frame. He retired the side in the second and fifth inning.
In the third, hot-hitting Jordan Magee singled to centerfield and Zac Mitchell then advanced him a base on a sacrifice bunt. Magee later ended up at third base after an interference call on Ecclesia’s second baseman. With one out, Freddy Prince delivered an RBI single to bring the score to 2-1. In the fourth, Nick Brill reached on a walk and Tony Morales followed with a single. Magee then launched a deep double to right centerfield to score Brill. With Morales on third and Magee on second, Igert laced one up the middle to bring in a pair of runs.
Rodger Montano pitched three shutout innings to receive a save. He allowed just one hit.
Finley (1-0) issued two walks, gave up two earned runs and earned his first collegiate win.
Magee produced two runs and finished 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles to lead Ozarks (12-13) at the plate. Prince had a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
Ozarks will travel to Hendrix College March 26 before hosting Texas-Tyler in a three-game weekend series March 28-29.
Topics: Athletics