STERLING, Kan. – The Ottawa University baseball team clinched the KCAC Championship, outright, with its 13-3, seven inning victory, over Sterling College on Friday afternoon. The championship is OU's eighth overall and its first since the 2010 season. The Braves are now on a 17 game winning streak and have won 40 games for the first time in program history.

The Braves struck first, taking the lead in the top of the first inning. Tyler Farnham reached first on a walk. He then moved to second on an error by the SC pitcher, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a passed ball to give OU a 1-0 lead.

Ottawa increased its lead over Sterling in the top of the third. Zachary Spradlin doubled to right-center. Jonah Weisner scored him with a double down the left field line and OU had a 2-0 lead. The Warriors cut into OU's lead with a run in the bottom of the third, 2-1.

OU pushed two more runs across home plate in the top of the fourth. Connor Jeffers singled to left and then swiped second. Nicholas Sizemore's single to right advanced Jeffers to third. Carson Johnson doubled down the right field line, scoring two and the Braves had a 4-1 lead.

Sterling answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, cutting OU's lead to 4-3. In the top of the fifth, the OU offense scored five runs to increase its lead over the Warriors. With the bases loaded, Jeffers singled to left, scoring Farnham and Weisner to push the OU lead to 6-3. Ottawa scored two more runs with a Johnson double to right to take an 8-3 lead. Luis DeLeon drove in the last run of the inning for the Braves. He hit a sacrifice fly to left, giving OU a 9-3 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Ottawa scored four runs to put the 10 runs after seven innings rule into effect. Farnham reached first on a single to left. Boan reached first on an error by the SC shortstop, moving Farnham to second. Jeffers reached first on an error by the Warrior third baseman, scoring Farnham and OU had a 10-3 lead.

Ottawa loaded the bases after Sizemore was hit by a pitch. DeLeon was hit as a pitch as well, scoring Boan to push the Brave lead to 11-3. Logan Zozaya singled to left, scoring two and Ottawa took the lead and the game 13-3.

Inside the Box Score

• Carson Johnson had three hits in four at bats, two doubles, and four RBI.
• Nicholas Sizemore, Connor Jeffers, and Jonah Weisner had two hits apiece.
• Stephen Norrell earned the win, striking out 10 in six innings and only allowing three hits.

Who is Next
Ottawa (40-5, 28-3) finishes its series with Sterling College on Saturday, April 30 with a double header at Sterling. Game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.