Matros fans 10; Tigers defeat #21 A&M-Kingsville 4-2

Box Score ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - On the opening day of the Quick Trip Classic in Grand Prairie, Texas, the Ouachita Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and freshman pitcher John Franklin Matros struck out 10 batters in seven innings to lead Ouachita to a 4-2 win over #21 Texas A&M-Kingsville. The win improved the Tigers to 3-1 on the year.

Both teams were held scoreless through 4.5 innings of play, but the Tigers offense awoke for four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth. Tyler Faught got things started with a one-out single. Preston Speers and Justin Weigle each followed with singles of their own to load the bases.

With one out and the bases loaded, Parker Norris hit the ball sharply to the right side. It was quickly scooped up by A&M-Kingsville and Faught was thrown out at home. With two outs, Drew Feuerbacher tripled down the right field line, scoring all three Tiger base runners. Jace Melby followed with a double, the Tigers fifth hit of the inning, scoring Feuerbacher and giving Ouachita a 4-0 lead after five innings.

Matros (1-0), making his first start for the Tigers, struck out eight batters through the first five innings. He gave up two earned runs, one each in the sixth and seventh innings, but finished strong striking out two batters swinging in the seventh, giving him 10 on the day.

Josh Reeves threw a scoreless eighth inning and GAC Pitcher of the Week Lance Cullum finished the ninth, earning him his second save this season.

All three Tiger wins have come against ranked opponents to start the season. The Tigers will face the University of Nebraska at Kearney tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. The game will played at Quick Trip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Tyler Faught: INF; 5' 8"; Senior

#10 Drew Feuerbacher: INF/RHP; 5' 9"; Junior

#23 Jace Melby: OF; 5' 10"; Senior

#3 Parker Norris: INF/OF; 5' 9"; Senior

#13 Josh Reeves: RHP; 5' 11"; Junior

#5 Justin Weigle: INF; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#25 Preston Speers: INF; 6' 1"; Freshman

#31 John Franklin Matros: RHP; 6' 0"; Freshman

#15 Lance Cullum: RHP; 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#7 Tyler Faught
: 5' 8"; Senior
: INF

#10 Drew Feuerbacher
: 5' 9"; Junior
: INF/RHP

#23 Jace Melby
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OF

#3 Parker Norris
: 5' 9"; Senior
: INF/OF

#13 Josh Reeves
: 5' 11"; Junior
: RHP

#5 Justin Weigle
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: INF

#25 Preston Speers
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: INF

#31 John Franklin Matros
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: RHP

#15 Lance Cullum
: 6' 3"; Junior
: RHP