LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Ottawa University baseball team took the final game of its series with the University of Saint Mary at the USM Baseball Field on Sunday afternoon, 6-3.

Ottawa took the lead in the top of the first inning. Jeremy Freeman, Jr. led off the game with a double down the right field line. Cole Broughton was hit by a pitch and OU had runners on first and second. Johnny Vulcano's single to center scored Freeman and OU led 1-0. Nicholas Sizemore loaded the bases with a walk. A wild pitch scored Broughton from third, giving OU a 2-0 lead.

The Braves extended their lead over the Spires in the top of the second inning. Freeman reached first on a fielder's choice and then stole second. An error by the USM third baseman moved Freeman to third. Dylan Garcia's single to right scored Freeman and OU led 3-0.

In the top of the third, OU pushed another run across home plate. Sizemore doubled down the left field line and moved to third on a passed ball. Another passed ball scored Sizemore and the Braves had a 4-0 lead.

OU increase its lead in the top of the fourth. Freeman reached first on a single to left. He moved into scoring position with a steal of second. Garcia scored Freeman with his double to right, giving Ottawa a 5-0 lead.

USM cut into the Brave lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth, 5-1. In the top of the seventh, the Braves were able to extend their lead. Vulcano reached first on a USM error. An error by the Spire catcher put Vulcano on second. Jackson Alaniz's sacrifice bunt placed Vulcano on third. Sizemore scored Vulcano with a double down the right field line and OU had a 6-1 lead.

Saint Mary scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, cutting OU's lead to 6-3. In the bottom of the ninth, the Spires were able to get two on base but OU's defense did not allow a run to cross home plate and the Braves took the 6-3 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Nicholas Sizemore, Dylan Garcia, and Jeremy Freeman, Jr. had two hits apiece.
• Garcia led OU with two RBI.
• Diego Quinonez pitched five innings, striking out four and only allowing three hits.
• Cameron Sistrunk earned the save, pitching the final two innings. He struck out one and only allowed one hit.

Who is Next
The Braves (15-12, 9-7) return to the field on Tuesday, March 19 against McPherson College at Alumni Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.