SHAWNEE, Okla. – In a pair of identically scored 6-5 ballgames on Saturday, SWOSU Baseball came out victorious in only one of them but it was enough to take the road-series victory against Oklahoma Baptist. The Bulldogs jumped out to a lead in game one before falling to the Bison, but bounced back in the nightcap to score four runs late and held on to win game two.
No midweek action scheduled for SWOSU in the upcoming week, as the Dawgs will travel to Arkadelphia next Friday to play in another road conference series against another top-tier GAC opponent.
Game One
Oklahoma Baptist 6, SWOSU 5
Box Score (html)
The Bulldogs couldn't hang on to a 4-1 lead and fell to the Bison 6-5 in a tight opening game of the day.
Rogelio Sanchez doubled in the first run of the game in the second, followed by a two-RBI double by Nichols in the third inning to allow the Dawgs to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
After OBU got one back in the bottom half of the third,
Joel Baxley homered to get the run back and give SWOSU back the momentum. It was the fourth inning that killed the Bulldogs, with a four-run inning that began with a walk and a hit by pitch. In that fourth, the Bison managed to score four runs on only two hits by taking advantage of two errors and free bases SWOSU gave away in the inning.
The Bison added a run in the seventh to push the deficit to two and provide insurance the rest of the way. SWOSU would get one in the eighth, but stranded two on first and second to end the threat in their final opportunity of the contest.
Devin Ring got the start but was awarded the no decision in 3.1 innings of work.
Gunnar Cook (L, 2-3) was charged with the loss after finishing the final 4.2 innings and allowing two runs (none earned).
Game Two
SWOSU 6, Oklahoma Baptist 5
Box Score (html)
Richard Marches and
Ted Wisdom delivered for the offense in the nightcap, coming up with five of the six RBI during the game.
Both teams went back-and-forth throughout the contest, with OBU opening the scoring up in the bottom of the first to lead 1-0. SWOSU responded in the second with a pair of their own to take the first Bulldog lead. The Bison retook the lead in the fourth when they put up a two spot, and the score would remain until the sixth when SWOSU delivered the best punch of the game.
In the sixth, the Dawgs loaded the bases with two free passes and a hit by pitch with no outs. Wisdom and Marches both provided run scoring hits, followed by a
Ruben Rodriguez fielder's choice to bring in the fourth and final run of the inning.
Leading 6-3 into the seventh,
Jeremy Smith was unable to go the distance after getting into trouble in the final inning. After a walk and a home run, the lead was just one.
Quintin Dougherty came in for relief and successfully shut the door to earn his fifth save of the season and hold the one-run lead intact.
Smith (W, 2-2) did provide the Dawgs with a productive outing, striking out nine while only walking one in 6.1 innings of work.
