Clarksville, Ark.-Hardin-Simmons University took momentum of game in the seventh inning when it stole home and then hung on for a 4-2 win over the Eagles Saturday.
Locked in a 2-2 tie, Hardin-Simmons (9-5) scratched across a run late in the game when it called a double steal to move ahead 3-2. The Cowboys later added an insurance run in the eighth to build a 4-2 lead.
Trailing 2-0, the Eagles (8-6) finally got on the board in the bottom of the third when Peyton Johnigan singled to the short stop. Rodger Montano then reached base on a fielder’s choice. With two outs, Sam Shook singled to leftfield. Mitchell Powers then pushed across the Eagles’ first run with a double to left center. Nick Brill followed with a sharply hit ball to centerfield in what appeared to be a single, but Hardin-Simmons centerfielder Jason Vause made a diving catch to save two runs.
Ozarks starter Jeffrey Works (0-1) settled in to retire the side in the fifth and kept the Cowboys off the board in the sixth. Ozarks mounted a rally in the fifth when Montano drew a walk and was followed by a hit from Prince. Shook then advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Powers delivered a single to centerfield to even the score at 2-2.
Works scattered nine hits through seven innings and struck out seven to receive the loss.
Powers led the Eagles with a 3-for-3, 2-RBI performance.
Ozarks will begin American Southwest Conference play March 8-9 when it hosts Texas-Dallas in a three-game series.
Topics: Athletics