ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Henderson State erupted for seven runs in the third and rode a dominant pitching performance to a 12–2 win over Oklahoma Baptist on Friday at Clyde Berry Field.
OBU fell to 10-11 and 5-8 in the Great American Conference with the result.
Oklahoma Baptist struck first in the opening inning when
Tui Amosa launched a solo home run to right field, giving the Bison an early 1–0 lead. Henderson State quickly answered in the bottom half, capitalizing on a defensive miscue before Tanner Ross blasted a two-run homer to left to give the Reddies a 2–1 advantage.
The Reddies extended the lead in the second inning with a pair of sacrifice flies, pushing the margin to 4–1.
HSU then broke the game open in the third. After loading the bases, Adam Garcia delivered a two-run ground-rule double to right field. Later in the inning, Boe Rodriguez ripped a bases-clearing double to right-center that plated three more. That bumped the host's lead to 11-1.
OBU managed little offensively against Henderson State starter Ethan Roark, who tossed a complete game while striking out 11 and allowing just three hits.
Lucas Schaefer provided the Bison's other highlight with a solo home run to center field in the sixth inning.
Ross finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI for the Reddies, while Rodriguez drove in four. Garcia added two hits and two RBI as HSU totaled seven hits but took advantage of five walks and several timely extra-base hits.
Kody Bialas took the loss for Oklahoma Baptist after allowing five runs (four earned) over 2.1 innings. Four Bison pitchers combined to surrender 12 runs on seven hits and five walks.
On Saturday at noon, the two squads will meet for a doubleheader.
