Clarksville, Ark.-Freshman Nick Brill doubled three times, including one that drove in two runs in the ninth, to fuel a 12-10 come-from-behind win over Hendrix College Tuesday.
Ozarks, which started seven freshmen, trailed 10-7 heading into the final frame, but Brill had a clutch double that brought in Ian Bryan and Jacob Robbins to trim the deficit to one run. With Hendrix (16-16) needing just one out to end the game, the Warriors committed a costly error that allowed both Brill and Chris Young to score. Mitchell Powers then capped the five-run, five-hit inning with an RBI single. Closer Bill Smith answered the call out of the bullpen by retiring the side to earn his sixth save of the season. Smith struck out two of the three he faced. It was also a record-breaking game for Smith as he broke the school’s single-season saves record.
Hendrix had a big second inning, scoring four runs, but Ozarks (12-20) got three of those back in the top of the third. Brill started the rally with a double and Sam Davidson followed with a walk. An error on the next batter allowed Brill to score and Davidson to advance to third. Powers grounded out to the shortstop, but still drove in Davidson. Scott Dietz finalized the scoring in the third with an RBI double. Hendrix stretched their lead to 8-3 after a four-run fourth inning. Hendrix battered starter Logan Parsons for eight runs. Travis Conner was inserted in the fourth with no outs and the bases loaded and gave up a hit against the first batter he faced. Conner then induced a double play and forced a fly out to end the frame. Conner was charged with two runs, one of which was earned, through five innings. After the fourth, the lefty allowed just four hits and struck out six.
Ozarks posted three runs in the sixth to close the gap to 9-6. Brill accounted for two runs with a double and Davidson singled in Brill for the third run. The Eagles got another run in the eighth on Jake West’s single, but the Warriors answered with a run in the bottom half of the frame. Ozarks did not hold the lead until the ninth and got all five runs from freshmen.
Conner (1-4) picked up the win.
Brill finished 3-for-5 with 4 RBI and three runs. West, Dietz and Robbins all collected two hits.
The Eagles will again play Hendrix this Thursday at home.
Topics: Athletics