JACKSON, Tenn. – The Ouachita Tigers finished their opening weekend with a loss on Sunday, as the Union University Bulldogs swept the Tigers after a 10-8 win. The Tigers recorded 14 hits in the loss, however, after recording just eight hits in the previous two games combined.
Ouachita (0-3) scored first, in the top of the first inning, after a lead-off double by
Jakahari Howell. Howell later reached third after a wild pitch and then scored with two outs after a passed ball. Union (3-0) responded immediately, however, with a four-run inning in the bottom of the first, off of two hits and two Ouachita errors.
The scoring continued in the second inning, as Ouachita tied the score at 4-4 on a three-run, three-hit half-inning.
Drew Feuerbacher sparked the rally with a lead-off double, and a double by
Justin Weigle later in the inning allowed Feuerbacher to cut the deficit to two runs.
Will Wallace followed with a two-run single to tie the game, scoring Weigle and Howell, who reached base on a walk.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Bulldogs took the lead once again, scoring three runs on four hits, including a two-run triple. Ouachita added one run in the top of the fourth on an RBI-groundout by Howell, but Union still held a 7-5 lead after four innings.
Union then added to its lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth on a wild pitch, but the Tigers answered with a run of their own in the sixth inning.
Ty Owens led off the inning with a double to left field, and he later scored on a single by Weigle.
After another run added by the Bulldogs, Ouachita pulled within two runs again in the top of the seventh, when Feuerbacher picked up an RBI on a groundout that scored
Victor Draijer, who reached first with a lead-off single. Union would not allow the Tigers to complete the comeback, however, adding another run in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 10-7 lead.
After a scoreless eighth inning,
Kyle Alexander gave Ouachita its eighth run after crossing the plate on a two-out single by Howell. The Bulldogs were able to record the third out, though, ending the game with a two-run lead.
John Franklin Matros (0-1) was handed the loss, after pitching the first four innings for Ouachita and allowing seven runs, five of them earned. Matros allowed six hits and struck out three.
Jorden Lawrence,
Brian Krikorian,
Zach Gloff and
Lance Cullum each added an inning of work on the mound, with Cullum throwing a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts.
Weigle led the Tigers with three hits, while adding two runs batted in. Howell and Wallace added two RBI each, and Howell led Ouachita with two runs scored.
Victor Draijer was 2-3 with two walks, and
Will Hopkins finished the day 2-4.
The Tigers will be at home for their next contest, as Ouachita hosts the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on Friday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m.
