ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – SWOSU Baseball secured a series victory over Ouachita Baptist on Friday, sweeping the Tigers in a doubleheader to clinch its second straight GAC series win.
The Bulldogs rode strong starting pitching performances in both games and will look for the series sweep Saturday when the finale is played at noon.
With the wins, SWOSU improves to 21-20 overall and 11-15 in GAC play, remaining in the hunt for a postseason spot.
Game One
SWOSU 6, Ouachita 4
The Bulldogs overcame an early deficit, using a four-run fourth inning and timely late scoring to claim the opener.
SWOSU trailed 4-0 before rallying with four runs in the fourth to tie the game. Trailing 4-2 in the inning, a two-out Ouachita error allowed two runs to score and even the contest.
Landon Meyer delivered the go-ahead RBI in the fifth, doubling in
John Spoto. The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the ninth when
Kotaro Wakui doubled home Spoto, who had reached via walk.
Starting pitcher
Josh Doelitsch (W) worked into the eighth inning, navigating heavy traffic after allowing 14 hits. He stranded 10 Tiger baserunners and limited the damage after Ouachita's early surge, striking out five and walking three.
Kaegan Baker (S) closed out the game with two scoreless innings, stranding five runners to earn his third save of the season.
SWOSU was outhit 18-10 but made key defensive plays, stranding runners in six of nine innings.
Game Two
SWOSU 8, Ouachita 3
SWOSU completed the sweep behind a complete-game effort from
Garrett Folmar and a steady offensive attack.
After Ouachita scored in the first inning, the Bulldogs responded with RBI hits from
Jose Mendoza (single) and
Chris Clark (triple) in the second to take a 2-1 lead.
SWOSU continued to build its advantage with three runs in the third and three more in the fourth, extending the lead to 8-1.
Ouachita mounted a late push in the seventh, but Folmar recorded the final outs to secure his first complete game of the season. He finished with six strikeouts and two walks in a 117-pitch performance.
Seven of SWOSU's nine hits came during its three scoring innings. The Tigers collected three hits in the seventh to inflate their final total (5) against Folmar.
Mendoza and
Keaton Fisher each recorded two hits to lead the offense.