MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The (12) Ottawa University baseball team, the no. 1 seed in the Montgomery bracket, rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 5-4 victory over Reinhardt University at Harrison Field.
Ottawa struck first, taking the early lead in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs,
Gabe Eckstaine doubled to left-center.
Logan Zozaya hit a double of his own, scoring Eckstaine to give OU a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third, Reinhardt scored two runs on a hit by pitch and a walk to take a 2-1 lead over OU. The Braves tied the game in their bottom half of the inning.
Tyler Farnham led the Braves with a single up the middle.
Holland Boan's single to center, moved Farnham to second.
Carson Johnson loaded the bases with a bunt single. Farnham was able to score on
Nicholas Sizemore's fielder's choice to tie the game, 2-2.
The Eagles retook the lead in the top of the fifth, 3-2. That is where the score stayed until the bottom of the eighth inning.
Eckstaine reached first after being hit by a pitch.
Matthew Aguilar sacrificed Eckstaine over to second with a bunt, giving the Braves a runner in scoring position.
Zachary Spradlin's double to center scored Eckstaine to tie the game at 3-3.
Jonah Weisner then walked and OU had two runners on with one out. After an Eagle pitching change, Spradlin stole third and Weisner swiped second. An error by the Reinhardt second baseman scored Spradlin and moved Weisner to third to give the Braves a 4-3 lead. Weisner reached home on a pass ball, giving the Braves a 5-3 lead.
In the top of the ninth, Reinhardt tried to rally with a home run by Tucker Zdunich.
Creede Jeffers struck out the next two batters, shutting down the Eagle rally and OU took the 5-4 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (44-8) will now play the no. 2 seed and NAIA Opening Round host, Faulkner University, on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
