ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – SWOSU Baseball scored three runs over the final two innings and had the game-tying and go-ahead runs on second and third in the ninth inning, but had their rally fall just short in a 6-5 loss to Ouachita in Saturday's series finale.

The loss gives the Tigers the series victory, 2-1. SWOSU (10-6, 2-4 GAC) will return to action in a midweek contest at UCO on Tuesday before hosting Southeastern in more conference play next weekend.  

The day started well for the Dawgs, who got solo home runs from Geoff Marlow and Marco Barrera in each of the first innings. They led 2-0 until Ouachita answered back with a home run of their own in the third and another solo run in the fourth.

Tied 2-2, they continued to score with four more runs in total over the next three innings to make it 6-2 entering the eighth inning. The Tigers hit three home runs in the game, but all came with nobody on base.

SWOSU's bats also produced three long balls in the game. First from Marlow and Barrera early, and then a two-run home run in the eighth from Jackson Syring who halved the deficit to 6-4.

Syring doubled in another run in the ninth with two outs, but a good relay from the outfield kept SWOSU's runners at second and third and prevented the tying run to cross. A batter later, the Dawgs grounded out to strand the runs and end the game. Final, 6-5 bad guys.   

Zane Leonard got the start on the mound and exited with two outs in the fourth inning and the score tied 2-2. Philip Sanders (L, 1-1) got out of the inning he entered without allowing a run, but suffered the loss after Ouachita took the lead for good in the fifth with a pair of solo home runs.

Grant Ewy, Tyler Fortin, and Ernesto Hidrogo all threw innings in relief after Sanders.

Marlow and Barrera combined for six hits on the afternoon. Syring added another two with his timely at-bats late. It is Barrera's first multi-hit game of the season.