OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University baseball team opened the 2025 season with a double header sweep of Hastings College on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Park. The Braves won game one, 8-1, and took game two, 6-5, on a game winning hit by Dylan Garcia.

Game One
The Braves struck first, taking the lead in the bottom of the first inning. With Jeremy Freeman, Jr. on third, Nicholas Sizemore started the season off with a bang. He hit a two run shot over the left field fence and OU had a 2-0 lead.

Hastings cut into the Braves lead with a run in the top of the second, 2-1. After a scoreless third, Ottawa pushed another run across home plate in the bottom of the fourth. Jackson Alaniz led off the Braves with a double to left. Dylan Garcia's single up the middle scored Alaniz, giving OU a 3-1 lead.

That is where the score stayed until the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded, Freeman walked for the second time in the game, scoring Brian Perry and OU led 4-1. The bases were still loaded for Garcia as he came to bat with two outs. He cleared the bases with a single to center, and the Braves took the lead and the game, 8-1.

Inside the Box Score

• Dylan Garcia, Jackson Alaniz, and Nicholas Sizemore had two hits apiece.
• Garcia and Sizemore led the Braves with three RBI apiece.
• Zack Melendez pitched six innings, striking out 11. He only allowed four hits and one earned run.

Game Two
Hastings scored four runs in the top of the second, taking a 4-0 lead over OU. The Braves earned two of those runs back in the bottom of the second.

Dylan Garcia started things off with a walk and then moved to second on a stolen base. Jesus Rodriguez singled up the middle, scoring Garcia and OU trailed 4-1. Rodriguez stole second and then swiped third. Brian Parry's double to right scored Rodriguez and Ottawa was down 4-2.

Ottawa scored two more runs in the bottom of the third, tying the game. Jeremy Freeman, Jr. walked, advanced to second on a passed ball, and then stole third. A wild throw by the Bronco catcher scored Freeman, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Jackson Alaniz's sacrifice fly to right scored courtesy runner Julius Ryan to tie the game at four all.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Braves took their first lead of game no. 2. Branden Franz and Parry walked, giving OU runners on first and second. Garrett Dodd then entered the game as a pinch runner for Franz. Dodd moved to third on a fly out to left by Cole Broughton, Parry stole second and Freeman walked to load the bases for OU. The Braves were able to take the lead on a steal of home by Dodd and the Braves led 5-4.

Hastings answered with a run in the top of the fifth, tying the game at five apiece. Neither team scored in the sixth and it was three up and three down for the OU defense in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Freeman walked for the fourth time in the game and then swiped second, his fifth steal of the game. Nicholas Sizemore walked and Jackson Alaniz was intentionally walked, loading the bases. Dylan Garcia singled to left, scoring Freeman and the Braves took the 6-5 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Brian Parry, Jesus Rodriguez, Dylan Garcia, and Jackson Alaniz had one hit apiece.
• Jeremy Freeman, Jr. walked four times, six total for the day. He scored two runs and stole five bases.
• Ryan Wilwers pitched five innings, striking out five in the no decision.
• Flynn Ridley earned the win, pitching two innings and striking out five. He didn't allow a hit.

Who is Next
Ottawa (2-0) finishes its series with Hastings on Thursday, Jan. 30 at Alumni Park. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.