OTTAWA, Kan. – The (22) Ottawa University baseball team completed its series sweep of the University of Saint Mary on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Park. Ottawa took game three from USM, 11-2.

The Spires struck first, taking a 1-0 lead over the Braves in the top of the first inning. Ottawa answered in the bottom of the first.

Cole Broughton doubled to right center. Anthony Soria's sacrifice bunt moved Broughton 90 feet from home. Shaun Gomez, Jr.'s single to left scored Broughton and the game was tied 1-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ottawa took the lead. Singles by Jaquavius Davis and Branden Franz gave OU runners on first and second. A balk by the USM pitcher put both in scoring position. Davis scored on a wild pitch, giving OU the 2-1 lead. Julius Ryan's sacrifice fly to right scored Franz and the Braves had a 3-1 lead.

The Braves increased their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Soria singled up the middle. A double to left center by Dylan Garcia scored a fast moving Soria from first and OU had a 4-1 lead.

Ottawa pushed two more runs across home plate in the bottom of the sixth. With Ryan on first, Broughton hit a home run to right field, giving Ottawa the 6-1 lead.

USM cut into the Brave lead with a run in the top of the seventh, 6-2. Ottawa earned that run back in the bottom of the seventh. Garcia led off the Braves with a home run to right field and OU had a 7-2 lead.

OU extended its lead over USM in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring its four runs on two outs. Franz reached first on an error by the Spire second baseman. He then moved to second on a passed ball. Soria walked and Franz moved to third on a stolen base. Garcia reached first on a walk and the bases were loaded for Gomez. He came through with runners in scoring position with a double to right-center, clearing the bases to give OU a 10-2 lead. Jackson Alaniz scored Gomez with a single to center and the Braves took the lead and the game, 11-2.

Inside the Box Score

• Branden Franz went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.
• Shaun Gomez, Jr. had two hits in four at bats. He led the Braves with four RBI and scored a run.
• Cole Broughton had two RBI.
• Zack Melendez pitched six innings in the win. He struck out nine.

Who is Next
Ottawa (23-4, 14-2) returns to the diamond on Tuesday, March 18 at McPherson College. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.