OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University baseball team took two from Viterbo University on Friday afternoon at Alumni Park. The Braves won game one, 2-0, and took game two, 8-2.

Game One
Ottawa took the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Dylan Garcia doubled to center and then moved to third on a ground out by Blaine Thomas. Jackson Alaniz singled to left, scoring Garcia and OU had a 1-0 lead.

The Braves extended their lead over the V-Hawks in the bottom of the fourth inning. Donnie Rhyne walked. Brent Swearingen's single to right center moved Rhyne to third. Anthony Soria sacrificed Rhyne home with a bunt and the Braves led 2-0.

In the top of the seventh, the V-Hawks were able to get a runner to third. But Caden Gray got V-Hawk batter to ground out to end the inning and the game, giving OU the 2-0 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Brent Swearingen, Jackson Alaniz, and Dylan Garcia had a piece apiece.
• Anthony Soria and Alaniz each had an RBI.
• Zack Melendez pitched six innings in the win. He only allowed one hit and struck out 10.
• Caden Gray earned his third save of the season, striking out two.

Game Two
Ottawa broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the second inning. Jackson Alaniz singled to center and Jaquavius Davis entered as a courtesy runner. Blaine Thomas doubled to right, moving Davis to third. Davis then scored on a passed ball to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Brent Swearingen's ground out to the pitcher scored Thomas to increase the OU lead to 2-0.

The Braves increased their lead over the V-Hawks in the bottom of the fourth inning. A throwing error by Viterbo put Brandon Kelley on second. Alaniz's ground out to short put Kelley 90 feet from home. Thomas followed that with a single to right, scoring Kelley and OU led 3-0.

Swearingen's single to center moved Thomas to third, giving the Braves runners on the corners. Anthony Soria connected on a sacrifice bunt, bringing Thomas home to increase the OU lead to 4-0. Tyler Farnham's single to center scored Swearingen and the Braves led 5-0.

The V-Hawks cut into the OU lead with two runs in the top of the fifth, 5-2. The Braves answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth.

With Pedro Astacio on second and Brandon Kelley at first, Alaniz singled to left, scoring Astacio. The VU left fielder misplayed the ball and Kelley was able to cross home plate, giving OU a 7-2 lead. Alaniz took advantage of the miscue by the left fielder and slid safely into second.  Ottawa scored one more run in the inning on an RBI single by Swearingen and OU had an 8-2 lead.

Viterbo only had one player reach base in the final two innings of the game and the Braves took the 8-2 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Blaine Thomas went 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring two runs and driving in another.
• Jackson Alaniz and Dylan Garcia had two hits apiece.
• Brent Swearingen led OU with two RBI.
• Josh Perez pitched in five innings, striking out four to get the victory.
• John Walsh and Cameron Sistrunk pitched the sixth and seventh. Both struck out two.

Who is Next
Ottawa (5-4) returns to the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 10 to finish its series with Viterbo. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Alumni Park.