RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Oklahoma Baptist split its doubleheader with conference baseball leader Arkansas Tech Friday in Russellville, Ark. The Bison were easy 12-4 winners in the opener before dropping the nightcap, 5-2. The teams conclude their series Saturday with a single, nine-inning game to begin at 12 p.m.
In the opener, OBU collected 12 hits against three Tech pitchers, including home runs by
Eric Carlson,
Ramon Enriquez and
Garrett McKee.
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A number of players had big games at the plate for the Bison.
Jake Gozzo had a season-best four hits in five at bats while P.J. Harris scored three times and had three hits of his own.
A.J. Merkel got the win limiting the home team to just three runs on five hits in six and two-thirds inning. Merkel was aided by reliever
Matthew Wilson who shut out the Wonder Boys in the final two innings.
In game two, the Bison trailed 4-0 before getting on the scoreboard in the fifth on a solo home run by
Kaimana Bartolome. The margin was halved in the sixth when Carlson tripled to score Enriquez.
ATU then added a run in its half of the sixth to push the lead back to its final, 5-2.
Jesus Chavez was saddled with his first loss in four decisions lasting four innings before being relieved by
Hudson Pearson and
Shane Kelso.
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