Drew Wurzelbacher hit a grand slam to highlight a nine-run second inning during the second game of a doubleheader as the ninth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University baseball team salvaged a split Sunday afternoon as the Tigers dropped the opening game, 5-3, but took the second contest in a rout, 14-1, at Rab Rodgers Field.
After jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second game, the Tigers (5-2) used a nine-run second inning to grab an 11-0 lead.
Wurzelbacher, who went 1-for-2, walked to begin the frame and Blake Lockwood followed with a single to center. Both advanced a base on a passed ball. Drew Maus walked as Wurzelbacher scored on a passed ball. After a pitching change, Will Gowdy walked and Rudy Jovanovski reached on a fielder’s choice as Maus and Lockwood scored.
JoeDan Poulter was hit by a pitch and with the bases loaded, Brock Green singled through the left side to score Gowdy. Derek Dibbens walked to plate Jovanovski. With one out, Wurzelbacher, batting for the second time in the inning, connect on a grand slam to left to give the Tigers a commanding 11-0 lead.
Ouachita added to the lead by plating three runs on Drew Baker’s first-career home run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 14-0 lead.
Missouri Western got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to give the Tigers their third victory of the weekend.
Gowdy (2-0) was solid on the mound in his second start. He scattered two hits in five innings to pick up the win. Wesley Clingman and Patrick Lemmond pitched in relief.
Jordan Bartlett (0-1) couldn’t find his command in working just one inning for Missouri Western. He surrendered five runs on two hits with four walks. Jon Bond, Corey White, Jake McClanahan and Drew Mannen each worked in relief.
The Griffons (1-3) struck first in the opening game by scoring two runs on a two-run homer by Drew Mannen to give Missouri Western a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
The advantage grew to 3-0 in the top of the third off Tigers starter Jerry Helferich.
Ouachita trimmed the margin to 3-1 in the bottom of the third.
With one out in the frame, Chris Gordon doubled down the line in right and advanced to third on a Blake Lockwood ground out. Gordon scored on a Maus, who went 3-for-4, single up the middle.
Missouri Western had an opportunity to increase the advantage in the top of the fifth by having two on with one out. The Griffons loaded the bases with two outs, but failed to score a run as Payne Spence came on in relief to end the threat.
The Griffons extended the lead in the top of the seventh.
With one out, Andrew Elmendorf singled up the middle and stole second. Adan Mercado doubled to left to plate Elmendorf. Trevor Hannum pinch ran for Mercado and scored when Mannen singled up the middle to give Missouri Western a 5-1 advantage.
Ouachita mounted a little rally in the bottom of the seventh, but came up just a bit short.
With one out, Dibbens singled through the right side and Drew Baker followed with a pinch hit single to right center. Gordon’s single to left plated Dibbens. However, Baker was thrown out trying to take third for the second out. Mark Cain was hit by a pitch and Maus stroked a single to right-center to score Gordon. Will Gowdy struck out with runners on the corner to end the game.
