OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University baseball team swept the double header with Sterling College on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Park. The Braves won game one in seven innings, 13-3, and took game two, 7-5.
Game One
Ottawa struck first, breaking the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. OU loaded the bases. Sterling attempted to pick off
Johnny Vulcano at first. On the throw, Swearingen came home and crossed the plate before the Warriors were able to tag out Vulcano, giving the Braves a 1-0 lead.
The Braves increased their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Nicholas Sizemore reached first on an error by the SC shortstop and
Robby Williams came in as a courtesy runner. Williams advanced to second on a balk and then moved to third on a ground out by
Marcellus Pearson. Ottawa was able to get runners on the corners with a walk by
Jeremy Freeman, Jr.
Anthony Soria put down a punt and the SC pitcher tried to get Williams out at home. Williams scored and OU led 2-0.
Tyler Farnham bunted, moving Freeman to third and Soria to second. A wild pitch scored both Freeman and Soria and the Braves had a 4-0 lead.
Cole Broughton followed that with a double to right center.
Brent Swearingen's single up the middle scored Broughton and the Braves had a 5-0 lead.
Ottawa extended its lead with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Freeman doubled to left, scoring Williams and Vulcano to give the Braves a 7-0 lead. Freeman stole third and Soria walked. The Braves then pulled off the double steal with Freeman crossing home plate and the Braves had an 8-0 lead.
Sterling cut into the Brave lead with three runs in the top of the sixth, 8-3. Ottawa earned that run back plus three more in the bottom of the sixth to push its lead to 12-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Ottawa was able to end the game early. With two outs, Swearingen connected on his first home run of the season and the Braves took the 13-3 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Brent Swearingen went 3-for-5 at the plate, scoring three runs and driving in two.
- Blaine Thomas had two hits in four at bats, scoring one run.
- Caden Gray started the game, pitching three innings. He struck out three.
- Jurgen Zwitzer pitched four innings, earning the victory. He struck out four.
Game Two
Sterling struck first, taking the lead in the top of the second inning. The Braves answered in the bottom of the second.
Dylan Garcia singled up the middle.
Jackson Alaniz walked, moving Garcia to second and
Robby Williams entered the game as a courtesy runner. The Braves were able to get both runners into scoring position with a double steal.
Anthony Soria came through with runners in scoring position, hitting a single to center field. Garcia scored and Williams moved to second. An error by the Warrior center fielder scored Williams and the Braves led 2-1. Ottawa scored one more run in the inning, Soria took advantage of an error by the SC first baseman, scoring from third, and OU led 3-1.
After a scoreless third by both teams, Sterling tied the game with two runs in the top of the fourth. The Braves retook the lead in their bottom half of the inning.
Alaniz singled to right and Williams came in as a courtesy runner. A wild pitch moved Williams to second.
Jeremy Freeman, Jr. put the ball in play, moving Williams to third.
Anthony Soria was able to score Williams with a sacrifice bunt and the Braves led 4-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, Ottawa extended its lead.
Dylan Garcia and Alaniz were hit by a pitch and Williams came in as a courtesy runner for Alaniz.
Johnny Vulcano singled to left, scoring Garcia to give OU a 5-3 lead. Freeman singled to left, scoring both Williams and Vulcano, giving OU a 7-3 lead.
Sterling tried to rally in the seventh, scoring two runs but it wasn't enough as OU took the 7-5 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (12-10, 6-5) finishes its series with Sterling on Sunday, March 9 at Alumni Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
