OTTAWA, Kan. - Behind a relentless offensive explosion and lockdown relief pitching, the Ottawa Braves defeated the University of Saint Mary 20-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Park.
How It Happened
The Braves wasted no time setting the tone. After manufacturing two runs in the first, Ottawa erupted for a 12-run second inning that broke the game wide open. The inning featured patience at the plate, aggressive base running, and timely extra-base hits.
The biggest swing came from
Jalen Ryan, who crushed a grand slam to left field as part of a four-RBI day. It was the 21
st grand slam in program history. By the end of the second inning, Ottawa had built a commanding 14-2 lead.
The offense kept pouring it on:
Meanwhile, reliever
Haidyn Cunningham shut the door. After Saint Mary tied the game briefly at 2-2 in the second, the Braves' pitching staff allowed just two hits the rest of the way while striking out 10.
By the Numbers (Ottawa)
- 20 runs on 13 hits
- 11 walks drawn, forcing Saint Mary pitchers to throw 174 total pitches
- 3 home runs (Jalen Ryan, Jesus Rodriguez, Declan Brown)
- 7 stolen bases
- 19 RBIs from nine different players
- 9 strikeouts from Haidyn Cunningham over five shutout innings (W, 1-0)
- 12 runs in the second inning, the biggest frame of the season
Offensive Standouts
- Jalen Ryan: 2-for-2, HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs scored, SB
- Jeremy Freeman, Jr.: 2B, 3 RBI, 2 SB
- Jesus Rodriguez: HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs, 2 walks
- Declan Brown: HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs, 2 walks
- Jose Lopez: Two doubles, 2 RBI
- Branden Franz: 2-for-4, RBI, SB
On the Mound
Who is Next
Ottawa (11-1, 4-0) returns to the diamond with a three game series in Springfield, Mo. against Evangel University. Game one is scheduled to start on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Â
