ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Behind complete-games from Connor Eller and Connor Reed, the Ouachita Tigers took two games from the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm on Saturday. Ouachita defeated the Crimson Storm, 10-0 and 11-2, after the team's 10 seniors were honored before the doubleheader.
Aaron Studdard started the offensive showcase in game one with a sacrifice fly in the second inning. Studdard recorded his eighth run batted in of the season, scoring Austin White. White then picked up his first RBI of the day in the fourth inning, scoring Will Wallace on a single to right center.
In the fifth inning, Ouachita (14-30, 10-19 GAC) extended its lead to 4-0 on a two-run single by Justin Weigle. Weigle scored Ty Owens from second, and after reaching third on the throw home, Weigle crossed home plate on an error.
Preston Speers joined the action in the sixth inning with a home run over the left field wall. The homer was Speers' fourth over the past six games, including the third in three games.
After Eller held Southern Nazarene (8-36, 5-24 GAC) scoreless again in the top of the seventh, Austin White ended the game after seven innings with a walk off homer to left field. Victor Draijer led off the half-inning with a walk and was later scored on a single by Wallace. Ryan Hammer then singled to right field, allowing White to pick up three runs batted in and his first career home run.
Eller earned his fifth complete game of the season and his first shutout. He allowed just four hits and one walk, while striking out four. Ouachita's defense led by Eller never allowed a runner to reach third base throughout the entire contest.
The Tigers continued to dominated offensively in game two, scoring 10 runs through the first two innings. After Reed retired Southern Nazarene in order in the top of the first, Weigle led off the bottom of the inning with a two-out walk. Wallace then singled through the right side, and Hammer singled through the left side to score Weigle. A single by White loaded the bases, and Speers scored two more on a single down the left field line.
In the second inning, Ouachita scored seven runs to take a 10-0 lead, highlighted by two-run singles from Weigle and Owens, and a two-run double by Wallace. White then picked up his fifth RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly in the third inning to give the Tigers an 11-0 lead.
Reed did not allow a base runner through the first four innings of the contest, until a single in the top of the fifth finally ended the no-hit bid. Reed kept Southern Nazarene without a run until allowing a two-run home run in the top of the seventh. Reed ended the game with a strikeout, however, securing his third win and fourth complete game of the season.
For the day, White recorded a team-high five runs batted in, giving him 10 on the season. He also led Ouachita with five hits. Hammer, Speers and Wallace followed with four hits each. Speers' homer in game one gives him seven on the season, the most by a Tiger since Will Gowdy finished the 2010 season with 10.
With the wins, the Tigers pull within one game of the eighth and final spot in the Great American Conference Tournament. Ouachita will continue its hopes for postseason play on Sunday, as the Tigers host Southern Nazarene at noon for the final game of the series.
