SALINA, Kan. – Ottawa University battled back multiple times and briefly reclaimed the lead late, but a two-run seventh inning from Tabor College proved to be the difference as the Braves fell 7-6 on Thursday morning at Dean Evans Stadium.
Ottawa showed resilience throughout, collecting 12 hits and erasing an early deficit, but couldn't overcome Tabor's five-run fifth inning and late response.
The Braves broke through first in the fourth inning. After working traffic on the bases,
Jesus Rodriguez delivered a clutch two-run single to give Ottawa a 2-0 lead. Moments later,
Branden Franz added an RBI single to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Tabor answered in a big way in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on a sequence of hits, including a three-run home run, to take a 5-3 lead.
Ottawa didn't back down. Rodriguez came through again in the sixth with an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. Then in the seventh,
Dylan Snead launched a two-run home run to put the Braves back in front, 6-5.
However, the Bluejays responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning, using a two-run single—helped by an Ottawa error—to regain the lead at 7-6.
The Braves continued to apply pressure late, putting a runner on in both the eighth and ninth innings, but were unable to find the equalizer.
Stats Recap
- Ottawa out-hit Tabor 12-7
- Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, key go-ahead and tying hits
- Jose Vega: 3-for-3, set the table offensively
- Dylan Snead: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI (go-ahead homer in the 7th)
- Jalen Ryan: 2-for-4, stolen base
- Branden Franz: RBI single in the fourth
- Ottawa pitching struck out 8 batters
- Adrian Quintana: 5.1 IP, 5 ER, kept Ottawa in control early
- Braves left 6 runners on base
- Ottawa committed 1 error, which factored into the decisive seventh inning
