GLENDALE, Ariz. - Ottawa University exploded for 10 runs over the final two innings to turn a tight game into a runaway, defeating Embry-Riddle (AZ) 16–6 Saturday afternoon at ACU Baseball Field.
Ottawa struck first in the opening inning, then put together a decisive four-run third to take control early. The Eagles answered and eventually tied the game at 6–6 with a four-run seventh, but the Braves' bats immediately responded. Ottawa plated five runs in the eighth and five more in the ninth, slamming the door with timely extra-base hits and aggressive base running.
In the third, Ottawa capitalized on traffic with RBIs from
Jeremy Freeman, Jr. and
Jose Lopez, before
Jesus Rodriguez ripped a two-run single to push the lead to 5–1. After ERAU trimmed the margin, Ottawa added a run in the sixth on an error to make it 6–2.
Embry-Riddle surged in the seventh, tying the game on a two-run triple, but Ottawa answered immediately. The Braves sent nine men to the plate in the eighth, highlighted by Dylan Sneed's RBI double and
Jose Vega's two-run single, reclaiming the lead at 11–6.
Ottawa put the game away in emphatic fashion in the ninth.
Alejandro Paz knocked in a run with a single before Sneed delivered the knockout blow, blasting a three-run triple to left-center. Sneed later scored on a wild pitch as the Braves finished off the 16-run outburst.
On the mound,
Ben Hewitt earned the win with a clean inning of relief, while Ottawa's bullpen combined to strike out 10 and limit the Eagles to six hits.
Ottawa Leaders
- Dylan Sneed: 2-for-5, 5 RBI, 2B, 3B, 3 R
- Alejandro Paz: 2-for-4, RBI, 2B, 3 R
- Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Jose Vega: 1-for-5, 2 RBI
- Jeremy Freeman: 2-for-5, RBI
Pitching (OU)
- Ben Hewitt (W): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
- Bullpen: 9.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 10 K
Who is Next
Ottawa (3-1) returns to the diamond on Friday, February 6 to start a four game series with Missouri Valley College. Game one of Friday's double header is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.
