WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Baseball split day one of the weekend series with Southern Arkansas, taking the opener in walk-off fashion before falling in game two despite allowing just two hits to the Mulerider offense.
The two will play one final game Saturday at 1:00 pm to decide the series. The game was pushed back an hour back from the originally scheduled and posted noon time.
Game One
SWOSU 10, SAU 9
The Dawgs used a massive comeback across the final four innings to stun Southern Arkansas in the opening game of the weekend series, 10-9, in walk-off fashion.
After SWOSU scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning, SAU held the lead until the eighth, building its margin to as large as 8-3 in the top of the sixth before the Bulldogs began their comeback.
Singles fueled the offense as the Dawgs collected 17 hits on the afternoon, 16 of which were singles, with the lone double coming from
John Spoto in the first at-bat of the game. The sixth inning started the climb back as SWOSU scored two runs on three hits and a walk. The Dawgs added one more in the seventh before putting up three big runs in the eighth to take the lead.
Jose Mendoza, the only Bulldog without a hit on the day, delivered a key one-out fielder's choice with runners on the corners to bring in the ninth run and give SWOSU the lead.
Southern Arkansas tied the game to send it to the bottom of the ninth, but the Dawgs limited further damage after the Muleriders loaded the bases before an inning-ending flyout. After a strikeout to open the bottom half,
Kotaro Wakui reached on a single. Following an error and an intentional walk, the bases were loaded with one out when
Nolan McCrossin delivered the biggest hit of the day, sending a ball to right-center to score Wakui and secure the win for the Bulldogs.
Wakui (4-6) and McCrossin (3-6) led the way for the Dawgs, while
Rusty Wortman (2-4) and
Keaton Fisher (1-3) each reached base twice via walks.
Jared Adams (W, 2-2) earned the win after entering in the ninth, pitching one inning while allowing three hits and one run with one strikeout.
Game Two
SAU 5, SWOSU 4
SWOSU allowed just two hits, but a big fourth inning fueled by free bases allowed SAU to get back in the game. The inning featured five walks, one hit batter, and a single, which led to four runs and tied the game. The Muleriders' second hit of the day proved to be the game-winner, as Preston Smith hit a solo home run to give SAU a 5-4 lead, which held as the final score.
The Dawgs outhit SAU 9-2 and committed no errors, compared to five by the Muleriders. Six different Bulldogs recorded hits, with Wakui, Wortman, and Mendoza each collecting two.
Aidan Wagley got the start on the mound and worked 3.2 innings, allowing just one hit but issued 10 free passes in the form of eight walks and two hit by pitches.
Conner Watson threw 1.1 innings og scoreless relief.
Kaegan Baker (2.0 IP) suffered the loss.
