'Roos Rally Past Ozarks in Series Opener
SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College baseball team erased an early three-run deficit, using a four-run fifth inning and a three-run seventh to take down the University of the Ozarks 9-7 on Friday evening at Baker Field. The 'Roos are now 4-4 overall and 4-3 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 2 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | X | 9 | 10 | 3 |
SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College baseball team erased an early three-run deficit, using a four-run fifth inning and a three-run seventh to take down the University of the Ozarks 9-7 on Friday evening at Baker Field. The 'Roos are now 4-4 overall and 4-3 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
The 'Roos trailed 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth before their offense erupted. Kaden Stegent got Austin College on the board with an RBI single up the middle, followed by an RBI fielder's choice from Desmond Squalls. Jayden Ayala-Hinojosa then delivered the biggest blow of the inning, lacing a two-run single to right field that gave the 'Roos a 4-3 lead.
Ayala-Hinojosa finished the day 2-for-5 with two runs batted in to lead the Austin College attack. Jorge Villalobos also had a stellar performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases.
Ozarks regained the lead in the top of the sixth, taking a 5-4 advantage on RBI singles from Brett Burks and Michael White. However, Austin College answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame when an RBI single by Caleb Staggs and a throwing error brought home two runs, putting the 'Roos back in front, 6-5.
The 'Roos pulled away for good in the seventh inning. Following a bases-loaded walk by Jaxyn Rogers that scored Ayala-Hinojosa, Villalobos drew another walk to bring home Cutter Livermore. Cayd Miller capped the three-run surge with an RBI single up the middle, extending the Austin College lead to 9-5.
Cade Rabal earned the win in relief for the 'Roos, allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out four across 2.2 innings of work. Shelton Rhoades secured his first save of the season, recording the final two outs in the ninth inning to close the door on a late Ozarks rally that saw Gabe Ellison hit an RBI double. Jake Dempsey took the loss for the Eagles, surrendering five earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
For Ozarks, Joseph Coon went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in the fourth inning, while Ellison finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. The 'Roos and Ozarks will wrap up their SCAC series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at noon.