Clarksville, Ark.-Bo Thomas and Alex Rodriguez allowed just five hits and Ozarks scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth to earn a 4-2 win over Ecclesia College Friday afternoon.
Thomas went five innings as the starter and gave up two hits and two runs in the first inning. But the junior right-hander settled in and allowed just one more hit the rest of the way. Zac Mitchell narrowed the deficit to 2-1 with an RBI single to right centerfield in the second inning. Thomas left the game with Ozarks (11-13) trailing 2-1 after five complete innings of play, but the Eagles had a game-changing sixth inning. Nick Brill sliced one over the third baseman’s head for a single to start the rally. Tony Morales laid down a bunt in an attempted sacrifice and was able to reach base as the throw to force Brill out at second sailed into centerfield. Ozarks then loaded the bases when Taylor Parker reached base on another infield error. Drew Clark delivered a RBI single to even the score at 2-2, and with one out, Dean Igert drilled a single up the middle to give Ozarks a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. Freddy Prince generated the final run of the inning when he recorded an RBI on a fielder’s choice. Rodriguez did the rest as he overcame a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh and retired the side in the eighth and the ninth to receive the win.
Thomas fanned six, while Rodriguez (2-1) struck out two in four shutout innings.
Clark finished 2-for-3 for Ozarks.
Ecclesia College drops to 11-10 overall.
Ozarks will play the Royals again Saturday starting at 12:00 p.m.
Topics: Athletics