SHAWNEE -- Behind a timely sixth-inning surge and dominant relief pitching, Southern Arkansas defeated Oklahoma Baptist 8-2 on Monday at Bobby Cox Field at Ford Park.
The Muleriders (5-5) broke open a tight contest in the sixth, capitalizing on defensive miscues by the Bison (3-5). After OBU grabbed a 2-1 lead in the fifth on an RBI single by
Zane Bennett, the visitors answered quickly.
Jordan Owns reached on an error to begin the sixth, and Jacob Lang followed with a single. Christian Gutierrez then delivered the decisive blow, launching a three-run homer to center to put SAU ahead 4-2. Later in the inning, a pair of wild pitches allowed another unearned run to score, extending the lead to 5-2.
Gutierrez finished with three RBI and scored twice, while Lang went 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Tate Elliott also homered for the Muleriders, giving them two long balls on the afternoon despite being outhit 11-7.
On the mound, Hayden Oglesby (1-0) earned the win in relief, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out six. He entered in the fifth and shut down multiple Bison threats to preserve the lead. Starter Eaton Hurley allowed two runs—one earned—over 4.1 innings.
Oklahoma Baptist collected 11 hits, led by
Tui Amosa's 3-for-5 performance, but stranded 11 runners and committed four errors.
Quinn Johnson and
Ben Green also notched multiple hits during the game.
Tomorrow, the Bison host Central Oklahoma at 3 p.m.
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