Box Score (html)
CHICKASHA, Okla. – SWOSU scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back as they avenged an earlier loss at Science & Arts (USAO) with a 9-6 victory on Tuesday afternoon. The win is the 30th of the season for the Bulldogs, giving them the program's first 30-win season since 2013.
Tanner Dearman led the game off with a triple, jump starting SWOSU's offense which would score four runs on four hits in the inning.
Cole Wagner grounded out to shortstop, scoring Dearman while
Trent Troxell hit a two-run double and
CJ Faddis added an RBI single to make it 4-0. That's where the score would stay until USAO scored three runs in the third inning to get within one.
SWOSU had their offensive answer in the fifth inning, adding three runs to up their advantage to 7-3. Dearman had an RBI single in the inning while
Korbin Polston added an RBI on a fielder's choice before
Haden Houska came across to score an unearned run. USAO scored once in the sixth inning but SWOSU got their insurance runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run homer from Houska that made it 9-4.
The Drovers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth before
Quinton Dougherty recorded the final two outs to end the game. In total, SWOSU used eight different pitchers in the game, with
Austin Hilton (2-0) getting the start after allowing three runs on two hits in the opening 2.1 innings. The group combined to allow nine hits, but also recorded nine strikeouts in the contest.
SWOSU (30-13) now turns their focus to the final three-game conference series on the schedule as the rival Rangers of Northwestern Oklahoma State visit the Athletic Complex this weekend. The Bulldogs enter the weekend one game behind Arkansas-Monticello for the top spot in the GAC standings.
