MESQUITE, Texas — Ottawa's offense erupted for 18 runs on 24 hits as the Braves outlasted Xavier (La.) in a back-and-forth shootout to open the series Friday afternoon.

Ottawa jumped out fast with a five-run first inning and never fully let go, answering every Xavier rally with crooked numbers of its own. The Braves built an early 5–0 lead, saw the Gold Nuggets claw back to tie the game twice, then broke things open late with seven runs across the final two innings to secure the win.

After Xavier evened the score at 11–11 in the fifth, Ottawa responded immediately in the sixth with four runs, highlighted by a two-run triple from Cece Mora and an RBI triple from Brookelynn Becker. The Braves added three more in the seventh — including a straight steal of home by Devanie Medina — to put the game out of reach.

Ottawa's pitching staff settled in after a rough start, holding Xavier scoreless over the final two innings to close out the victory.

Game Stats

• Ottawa finished with 18 runs on 24 hits
• Five Braves recorded multi-hit performances
• Cece Mora went 3-for-6 with five RBI, including a double and a triple
• Abby Bellamy went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and an RBI
• Brookelynn Becker added three hits, including a triple, with two runs scored
• Alex Genty drove in two runs and tripled in the seventh
• Ottawa collected four triples and six doubles in the game
• The Braves stole six bases, including two by Devanie Medina
• Cassi Rodgers earned the win in relief, allowing no earned runs over 3.1 innings
• Ottawa scored in five of seven innings, including five runs in the first and fourth

Who is Next
Ottawa (2-0) is back in action on Saturday, February 7 in Mesquite, Texas against no. 16 Missouri Baptist University. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.