LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Ottawa University baseball team was defeated in both games of its double header with the University of Saint Mary on Saturday afternoon at the USM Baseball Field. The Spires won game one, 7-6, and took game two, 4-1.

Game One
The Spires scored five runs in the bottom of the third and two in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-0 lead over the Braves. Ottawa cut into the Spire lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Dylan Garcia singled to center to lead off the inning for OU. Jackson Alaniz was hit by a pitch, moving Garcia to second. Johnny Vulcano's single loaded the bases. Nicholas Sizemore's sacrifice fly to center scored Garcia and OU trailed 7-1. A passed ball moved Alaniz to third and Vulcano to second. Jeremy Freeman, Jr. hit a double to center, scoring both Alaniz and Vulcano and the Braves were within 7-3.

Ottawa continued to chip away at the Spire lead, pushing two more runs across home plate in the top of the eighth. Vulcano singled and then moved to third with a double to right by Freeman. Anthony Soria's single scored Vulcano and Freeman, cutting the deficit to 7-5.

In the top of the ninth, the Braves tried to complete the comeback. Cole Broughton was hit by a pitch and Garcia's ground out to third moved Broughton to second. Marcellus Pearson's pinch hit double to right scored Broughton and the Braves were down 7-6. Ottawa was not able to score the game tying run and Saint Mary took the 7-6 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Johnny Vulcano had three hits in five at bats, scoring twice.
• Anthony Soria led OU with two RBI.
• Caden Gray pitched two innings, striking out one.
• Jurgen Zwitzer pitched six innings striking out two.

Game Two
The Spires scored three runs in the bottom of the first to take the early lead over the Braves. Ottawa cut into the USM lead in the top of the fourth.

Jeremy Freeman, Jr. tripled to center. A balk by the USM pitcher scored Freeman and the Braves were down 3-1. The Spires earned that run back in the bottom of the fourth, taking a 4-1 lead over OU.
In the top of the seventh, OU had two reach base in the inning but Ottawa was not able to get them home and USM took the 4-1 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Jeremy Freeman, Jr. and Johnny Vulcano had two hits apiece.
• Zack Melendez pitched four innings, striking out five.
• Fawster Voytko pitched the final two innings, not allowing a hit.

Who is Next
Ottawa (14-12, 8-7) finishes its series with the University of Saint Mary on Sunday, March 17 in Leavenworth. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.