SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist crushed Ouachita, 14-4, in the opener before falling 8-5 in the second contest on Friday at Bobby Cox Field at Ford Park.
GAME ONE
OBU erupted for 14 runs on 18 hits to overpower Ouachita in the opening contest.
After Ouachita grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first, the Bison offense responded emphatically in the second inning. A two-run homer from
Braden Smith sparked a four-run frame, and RBI knocks from
Matt Marsic helped flip the game in OBU's favor.
The momentum only grew in the third.
Lucas Schaefer launched a two-run homer, while
Kaleb Latimer added a two-run double as part of another four-run outburst, extending the lead to 8-1.
Ouachita chipped away with single runs in the fourth and a two-run sixth inning, narrowing the gap to 8-4. However, OBU's depth at the plate proved too much. The Bison plated three runs in the seventh—highlighted by Latimer's RBI single—and tacked on three more in the eighth, capped by Latimer's two-run homer to seal the run-rule margin.
Latimer led the charge with a 4-for-5 performance and five RBI, while Smith went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and a home run. Schaefer also contributed three RBI in a balanced offensive attack that saw six players record multiple hits.
On the mound,
Marcus Peters earned the win, allowing four runs (two earned) over 5.2 innings while striking out six. Out of the bullpen,
Teagon Standlee closed the door with 3.1 scoreless frames.
GAME TWO
The Tigers used a pair of big innings and timely hitting to take down the Bison 8–5 in the nightcap.
After falling behind 1–0 in the first, Ouachita responded with a decisive four-run second inning. The Tigers capitalized on an error and delivered the key blow when Reece McWilliams roped a bases-clearing double down the left-field line. Jaren Ceasar followed with an RBI double to push the lead to 4–1.
Ouachita added another run in the third before breaking the game open in the fifth. Cole Bedwell provided the knockout swing, launching a three-run homer to left to extend the advantage to 8–2.
Despite being outhit 13–8, the Tigers made their opportunities count. McWilliams led the way, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI and a stolen base, while Bedwell drove in three runs of his own.
Reece Tarini earned the win, tossing six innings while allowing five runs on 13 hits and striking out six. Chase Oberle closed the door with a scoreless seventh, striking out two to secure the save.
Oklahoma Baptist mounted a late push in the seventh, scoring twice and bringing the tying run to the plate, but could not complete the comeback.
Tui Amosa led the Bison offensively with three hits, including a home run and two RBI in the loss.
