SHAWNEE -- Southwestern Oklahoma State (11-7, 3-4 GAC) erupted for five runs in the ninth to stun Oklahoma Baptist, 6-2, Thursday evening at Bobby Cox Field at Ford Park.
The Bulldogs managed just three hits through the first eight innings against OBU starter
Kody Bialas but capitalized on free passes and timely power in the final frame to pull away. The Bison (5-9, 1-6 GAC) outhit SWOSU 12-5 but stranded 16 runners in the loss.
Southwestern struck first in the second when Kellen Frizzell delivered an RBI single to plate Nolan McCrossin for a 1-0 lead.
OBU answered in the bottom half as
Ben Green drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game. The Bison added another run in the third when
Keenan Morris scored on a throwing error, giving the hosts a 2-1 advantage.
From there, pitching dominated. Josh Doelitsch worked five innings for SWOSU, allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out six. Garrett Folmar (2-0) was outstanding in relief, tossing four shutout innings to earn the win.
OBU threatened multiple times, including leaving two runners on in the fourth and two more in the eighth, but couldn't find the key hit.
In the ninth, momentum shifted quickly. Zack Makarewich tied the game with an RBI single before Jose Mendoza drew a bases-loaded walk to give SWOSU the lead. John Spoto then broke it open with a bases-clearing triple to right center, pushing the margin to 6-2.
Logan Wade (1-2) took the loss in relief for OBU.
Tui Amosa led the Bison with three hits, while
Braden Smith added four.
Tomorrow, the two teams will meet for a 1 p.m. Great American Conference doubleheader.
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