KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Ottawa University baseball team opened KCAC play with a 7-6 loss to Avila University on Tuesday afternoon at The Z.
Avila struck first, taking a 2-0 lead over the Braves in the bottom of the first inning. Ottawa answered in the top of the second.
Robby Williams led off OU with a single to center.
Nicholas Sizemore reached first on an error by the Eagle third baseman, moving Williams to third.
Connor Jeffers scored Williams from third with a ground out to short and OU was within 2-1. Ottawa tied the game when
Alex Kuhn scored on a ground out by
Luis DeLeon, 2-2.
In the top of the third, Ottawa took its first lead of the game.
Jonah Weisner doubled to center and then moved to third on an infield single by
Tyler Farnham.
Cole Broughton scored Weisner with a ground out to short, giving OU a 3-2 lead.
Brandon Kelley laid down a bunt, scoring Farnham and OU had a 4-2 lead.
Avila retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth with three runs, 5-4. Ottawa tied the game in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Broughton hit a home run to right-center and the game was tied, 5-5.
In the bottom of the sixth the Eagles retook the lead, 6-5. After a scoreless seventh inning, Ottawa tied the game in the top of the eighth.
Zachary Spradlin reached first after being hit. He then moved to third after a wild pitch by the AU pitcher. Sizmore doubled to left-center, scoring Spradlin to tie the game, 6-6.
Avila ended the game with a walk off double in the bottom of the ninth, taking the 7-6 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (12-6, 0-1) returns to the diamond on Saturday, March 4 in Hillsboro, Kan. against Tabor College. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m.
