Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Rafael Otero hammered a two-run home run over the right field fence in the third inning that proved to be all SWOSU Baseball and starting pitcher
Brendan Peitsmeyer would need against Harding, as the Dawgs took game one 6-1 over the Bisons on Friday afternoon.
Peitsmeyer went 7.1 innings in the series opener, pitching around the nine hits he conceded and only allowing one run that came in the second inning. The junior struck out only one batter on the day, but also walked only one to allow his outing to stretch into the eighth inning. He was given six runs to work with on the day thanks to the third and fifth innings where SWOSU would accumulate all of their runs.
Jason Nichols started a two-out spark in the top of the second after singling to left center which extended the inning long enough for Otero to step into the batter's box and drive one out of the ballpark to give the Dawgs a 2-0 early lead.
Two innings later, the Bulldogs loaded the bases thanks in part to a
Ruben Rodriguez single, a
Joshua Santos drawn walk and a bunt by Nichols that did not result in an out. SWOSU would manufacture two runs courtesy of a
Rogelio Sanchez single and a
Joel Baxley sac fly while also getting two outs in the process.
Danny-David Linahan would cap off the scoring with a two out, two-RBI single and extend the margin to 6-1 where it would remain the rest of the game.
Jeremy Smith came on in relief in the eighth inning with one out and was able to pitch a scoreless final two outs in the inning before trotting back out to finish the game without giving up a run.
"Peitsmeyer was really good for us this afternoon making big pitches when he had to," Head Coach
Zack Saunders said. "The bats have continued to improve every game for us and it's pleasing to see. The hitters have showed toughness and have continued to compete even when things haven't been going our way. It's a good start to the weekend but we need to be consistent and play tough again tomorrow."
SWOSU (5-7, 1-3 GAC) will play the doubleheader portion of the series tomorrow starting at noon in Searcy. The win ends the seven-game losing streak the Dawgs were on and the first win of the GAC schedule.
