ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - After using 11 pitchers in 11 innings, the Ouachita Tigers dropped a midweek, non-conference match against the Southern Arkansas Muleriders, 5-2, on Tuesday.
Zach Gloff and Kason Kimbrell pitched the first two innings, holding Southern Arkansas (18-9) to just one hit and zero runs. The Muleriders took the lead in the third inning, though, after scoring two runs on Jayme Lovelace. Jacob Knight, Trey Hart and Brian Krikorian then followed with a combined three scoreless innings and two strikeouts.
Ouachita (7-18) crossed home plate for the first time in the sixth inning, when Jakahari Howell led off with a double. Howell then advanced to third on a single by Will Wallace, and another single by Preston Speers scored Howell and cut the deficit to one run. Then, with two outs, Victor Draijer singled through the left side to score Wallace and tie the score at 2-2.
The next four innings featured zero runs and just three hits combined from both teams, until Southern Arkansas finally scored three runs on four hits and one error to take a 5-2 lead in the 11th inning. The Muleriders then retired the side in order in the bottom of the 11th to escape with the win.
Jacob May took the loss for Ouachita, allowing three runs, two of them earned. Tryce Schalchlin, Bo Sutton, Jorden Lawrence and Josh Reeves combined to pitch the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th innings without allowing a run.
The Tigers struggled offensively, striking out a season-high 15 times. Ouachita recorded nine hits in the loss but also left nine runners on base. Wallace led the Tigers with three hits, followed by Draijer with two.
Ouachita will return to Great American Conference play this weekend, as the Tigers host the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The three-game series will begin with one, nine-inning game on Friday, scheduled for 2 p.m.
