BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – The (12) Ottawa University baseball team got back on the winning track with a 13-6 victory over Baker University on Wednesday afternoon at Sauder Field.
Baker took the early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Ottawa answered in the top of the second.
Connor Jeffers was hit by a pitch.
Nicholas Sizemore singled to right, moving Jeffers to third.
Carson Johnson scored Jeffers with a ground out to first and the game was tied 1-1.
The Wildcats retook the lead in the bottom of the second with a run, 2-1. Ottawa earned that run back plus four more in the top of the third.
Zachary Spradlin led the inning off with a double.
Jonah Weisner singled to center, scoring Spradlin to tie the game at 2-2.
Tyler Farnham gave OU runners at first and third with a bunt single. Franham then stole second, giving OU two runners in scoring position.
Jeffers reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Weisner to give OU a 3-2 lead. Sizemore's sacrifice fly scored Franham to increase the OU lead to 4-2. Johnson scored the final two runs of the inning on a home run and Ottawa led 6-2.
Ottawa extended its lead in the top of the fourth.
Gabe Eckstaine led off OU with a double down the left field line. Spradlin hit a sacrifice bunt, moving Eckstaine to third. Weisner tripled, scoring Eckstaine and the Braves led 7-2. Jeffers tripled to center, scoring two and OU was up 9-2.
OU pushed another run across home plate in the top of the sixth inning.
Holland Boan hit a single up the middle, scoring Weisner and Ottawa led 10-2. Baker cut into the Brave lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth, 10-3.
In the top of the seventh Spradlin bunted Johnson home and the Braves led 11-3. Baker scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to cut OU's lead 11-5. Ottawa scored two more runs in the top of the eighth. Weisner hit a triple to left center and Farnham walked, giving OU runners at the corners. Boan was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Johnson scored Weisner with a sacrifice fly and Ottawa had a 12-5 lead. Farnham stole third and then scored on a ground out to third by Sizemore to give Ottawa a 13-5 lead.
Baker scored one more run in the bottom of the eighth to cut OU's lead to 13-6. Ottawa shutdown the Baker offense in the bottom of the ninth, taking the 13-6 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- OU had a 14-9 edge in hits and had six extra base hits.
- Jonah Weisner led the Braves with four hits.
- Connor Jeffers finished with four RBI.
- Austin Warfel pitched in 5.2 innings in the win, striking out 10.
Who is Next
Ottawa (24-5) returns to action on Friday, April 1 against Kansas Wesleyan University at Alumni Park. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.