ALVA, Okla. – SWOSU Baseball finished 1-1 on Friday against rival Northwestern, dropping game one in walk-off fashion before bouncing back to claim the nightcap decisively.
The two teams will be back to it on Saturday afternoon for the rubber match, with first pitch scheduled for a 1 pm start at Myers Stadium. A win in the final game would mark the fifth-straight series victory the Bulldogs
Game One
NWOSU 4, SWOSU 3
Box Score (html)
The Dawgs wish they could have the series opener back, falling to the Rangers despite going into the final inning with a one-run lead. Winning 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth,
Brendan Peitsmeyer returned to the mound for his third-consecutive inning in relief. After a lead-off single, senior closer
Quintin Dougherty was called on out of the bullpen.
Dougherty (L, 2-3) was unable to stop the momentum of the inning, giving up two singles himself including the tying run on a single through the right side. With two runners in scoring position and one out, NWOSU was able to make contact and bring in the winning run on a fielder's choice that ended the game.
Jeremy Smith got the start on the bump, pitching 5.1 innings while striking out five and walking three. Although it wasn't one of his best starts, the senior was able to keep his team in the ballgame during his outing. The offense only managed to tally three hits in the contest, compared to nine Northwestern knocks.
Game Two
SWOSU 7, NWOSU 1
Box Score (html)
Despite the bats still struggling to collect hits, the offense took advantage of 10 walks issued by Ranger pitchers (one hit by pitch) and mixed timely hits to plate plenty of baserunners.
The run support would be more than enough for starter
Gunnar Cook, who gave the Bulldogs a complete game effort for the second time this season. Cook scattered five Ranger hits, while striking out eight to improve to 4-3 on the season.
Daniel Richardson produced a 3-for-3 night in the batter's box, driving in two runs and accounting for 75% of the hits SWOSU had in the contest.
Rogelio Sanchez was the other hit, a single down the left field line that scored two runners.
