ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- The Ouachita Tigers (15-16, 3-5 GAC) hosted Southwestern Oklahoma (15-8, 7-4 GAC) on Saturday for a conference doubleheader. The Tigers took the first game while posting an impressive seven runs in just the first five innings before dropping the second game by a final score of 4-1.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Tigers captured an 8-4 win behind an offensive surge and the arm of Ryan Westover. Westover moved to 4-3 on the season with the victory, pitching eight innings and recording four strikeouts in the game while giving up four runs. The Tiger offense was the story of the game though, jumping out to a 7-0 lead after five innings before holding on for an 8-4 victory. McCrae Jones finished the game with a 3-of-3 performance from the plate, adding an RBI and two runs. Landon Moore and Tom Ward both recorded two runs batted in for the Tigers, while Parker Norris posted a 2-of-3 performance from the plate, adding an RBI and two runs. Jace Melby added a home run for the Tigers on a solo shot to left field. The Tigers moved to 3-4 in GAC play with the victory.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Tigers had a bases loaded situation in the seventh inning, trailing by a score of 4-1, but were unable to capitalize as the game ended on a strikeout. Cole Stephens took the victory for Southwestern, recording five strikeouts and only giving up one run during his six innings on the mound. Davis Ward took the loss for the Tigers, falling to 2-4 on the season in a game that he pitched the complete seven innings, only giving up five hits and a single earned run, but three unearned runs proved to be the difference in the game. Jones recorded the only RBI for the Tigers during a 1-of-3 performance from the plate. The Tigers fell to 3-5 in GAC play with the loss in game two.
The Tigers will continue their weekend series with the Bulldogs tomorrow at noon at Rab Rodgers Field.
