SHAWNEE, Okla. – Ninth-inning magic gave SWOSU its third straight GAC series-opening game victory on Friday as the Dawgs rallied to defeat Oklahoma Baptist, 6-2.
SWOSU opened the scoring with a
Kellen Frizzell single to left that brought in
Nolan McCrossin, who had reached on a single up the middle. Those two hits accounted for the Bulldogs' only hits through the first seven innings, as Oklahoma Baptist starting pitcher was nearly untouchable for most of the night. The Bison responded with runs in both the second and third innings and held that lead until the final frame.
Entering the ninth, Oklahoma Baptist pulled its ace after he allowed just three hits and one run while striking out seven, with none of the hits going for extra bases. SWOSU capitalized against the Bison bullpen, using four free bases and its only extra-base hit of the day from leadoff man
John Spoto, who launched a ball to the wall for a bases-clearing triple. The Dawgs rattled off five runs after being down to their final two outs. OBU singled with its leadoff batter in the bottom of the ninth, but
Garrett Folmar retired the next three hitters to secure the Dawgs' 6-2 ninth-inning comeback win.
The key to the game was OBU's inability to capitalize with runners on base. The Bison stranded the bases loaded three separate times in the first five innings, allowing SWOSU to remain within striking distance despite being outhit 11-3 through eight innings and issuing six walks compared to just one by the Bison starter. By the end of the night, OBU had stranded 16 runners, compared to just five for SWOSU.
Frizzell led the Dawgs, going 2-for-3 at the plate while drawing two walks.
Zach Makarewich, McCrossin, and Spoto were the only other Bulldogs to record a hit. Makarewich provided the tying run in the ninth on an RBI single, three batters before Spoto's big triple.
Both SWOSU pitchers turned in strong performances under the lights.
Josh Doelitsch threw 114 pitches over five innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, with just one going for extra bases. Folmar handled the final four innings to earn the win, giving up four hits, none for extra bases, and did not allow a single free base.
SWOSU will look to take the series tomorrow, with a doubleheader scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in Shawnee.
