Clarksville, Ark.-Chris Abascal?s two-out three-run homer in the top of the ninth completed a 9-8 come-from-behind victory for East Texas Baptist University Friday afternoon in American Southwest Conference play.
The Eagles (6-12, 0-4 ASC) held a 7-6 lead into the ninth before Abascal sent a 1-2 pitch over the left field wall for a 9-7 advantage. Ozarks led off with a walk in the bottom of the ninth to put the tying run at the plate. With two outs, Chris Young singled to right field to advance Nick Brill, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, to third base. Michael Prusator delivered a single to left field to score one. However, the rally ended when Tristen Cooksey caught Tyler Hydrick looking at a called third strike.
The Tigers (5-12, 1-0 ASC) scored three runs off three hits in the opening inning. After the Tigers added a run in the second, the Eagles countered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame. The Eagles took the lead, 7-4, after a Jonathan Cox grand slam in the fifth. Cox’s first career homer couldn’t have come at a better time as Ozarks took the game’s momentum back. Just prior to his shot over the left field wall, Ozarks centerfielder Chris Driedric saved a run when he threw out Phil Windham at home plate to end the top half of the fifth. East Texas Baptist narrowed the gap to 7-6 in the seventh before taking the lead for good in the ninth.
Cox drove in five runs behind his home run. Driedric, Tony Morales, Chris Young and Ian Bryan all had two hits.
Ozarks starter Jeffrey Works lasted seven innings before Bryan took over in the eighth. Mitchell Powers (1-2) took the loss.
Ozarks will conclude its series with East Texas Baptist tomorrow with a double-header starting at noon. Both games can be heard on the web at www.kxio.nu or locally on 106.9 FM.
Topics: Athletics