OTTAWA, Kan. – The (17) Ottawa University baseball team opened its series with Southwestern College on Friday afternoon with a 9-2 win at Alumni Park.

Southwestern struck first, taking the early 2-0 lead over the Braves in the top of the second inning. OU cut into the Moundbuilder lead in the bottom of the fourth. Nicholas Sizemore led off the inning with a double to left and Brad Grant come in for Sizemore as a courtesy runner. Carson Johnson singled to left, scoring Brad Grant and the Braves were down 2-1.

In the bottom of the sixth the Braves took their first lead of the game. Luis DeLeon singled up the middle. Logan Zozaya and Zachary Spradlin were hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Jonah Weisner walked, scoring DeLeon to tie the game at 2-2. After a SWC pitching change, Tyler Farnham hit a sacrifice fly and scored Dawson Durkes, who was pinch running for Zozaya, and Ottawa led 3-2.
Ottawa extended its lead in the bottom of the seventh. Holland Boan singled to center and Zach Henry came in the game to pinch run for Boan. Connor Jeffers singled, moving Henry to second. Sizemore sacrificed Henry to third and Jeffers to second. Connor Johnson singled to right, scoring Henry. The right fielder booted the ball and Jeffers scored, giving OU a 5-2 lead. Ottawa scored one more run in the inning. Zozaya singled to left, scoring Johnson and Ottawa had a 6-2 lead.

The Braves pushed three more runs across home plate in the bottom of the eighth. Weisner led off the inning with a home run over the right field fence and Ottawa led 7-2. Farnham singled to center and then stole second. Boan was intentionally walked and the Braves had runners on first and second. Jeffers sacrificed Farnham to third and Boan to second. Sizemore came through with runners in scoring position, doubling to left to score both Farnham and Boan to give the Braves the lead and the game, 9-2.

Inside the Box Score

• The Braves had 14 hits in the game with three extra base hits.
• Carson Johnson, Nicholas Sizemore, Connor Jeffers, Holland Boan, and Tyler Farnham had two hits apiece.
• Stephen Norrell pitched eight innings in the win, striking out eight. He only allowed five hits.
• Jeremy Husband pitched the ninth, striking out two.

Who is Next
Ottawa (29-5, 17-3) finishes its three game series with Southwestern College on Saturday, April 9 at Alumni Park. The first game of the double header is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.