OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University baseball team took game one of its three game series with (20) McPherson College, 4-3, on Friday afternoon at Alumni Park. OU was without its ace,
Tyler Bryant, and used nine pitchers against McPherson's high powered offense to get the win.
McPherson struck first, taking a 1-0 lead over the Braves in the top of the first inning. After a scoreless second and third innings, Ottawa took the lead in the bottom of the fourth.
Cole Broughton led off with a double to center.
Zachary Spradlin followed that hit with a single to left, moving Broughton to third.
Jonah Weisner's single scored Broughton to tie the game, 1-1. With the bases loaded,
Robby Williams' sacrifice fly to right scored Spradlin to give OU a 2-1 lead. The Braves scored their final run of the inning on a single to right by
Gabe Eckstaine. His hit scored Weisner and the Braves had a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the sixth, McPherson scored a run to cut into the Brave lead 3-2. The Bulldogs loaded the bases, causing a Brave pitching change and Eric Reese entered the game. He got the final out with a strike out, ending the MC scoring threat. Ottawa earned that run by the Bulldogs back in the bottom of the sixth. Spradlin led off with a walk. Weisner's double to center scored Spradlin and the Braves had a 4-2 lead.
McPherson again cut into the Brave lead, scoring one run in the top of the eighth inning to get within 4-3. In the top of the ninth,
Caden Gray entered the game for the save. After getting a fly out to start the inning, McPherson's second batter in the inning reached first but that would be it for the Bulldogs. Gray would get two fly outs, including a diving catch by Broughton in left field to end the game, and OU took the 4-3 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Gabe Eckstaine, Jonah Weisner, and Zachary Spradlin had two hits apiece.
- Weisner led the Braves with two RBI.
- Devin Holmes, Matt Nolan, Nathan Crum, John Walsh, Tim Burke, Van Rabe, Erice Reece, Cameron Sistrunk, and Caden Gray combined to pitch nine innings, striking out four.
- Reece earned the win, pitching 1.1 innings, striking out one and not allowing a hit.
- Gray earned his fifth save of the season.
Who is Next
Ottawa (25-12, 13-7) finishes its series with (20) McPherson College on Saturday, April 8 at Alumni Park. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.