ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Ouachita Tigers completed their first series sweep of the season on Sunday with an 8-1 victory over the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm. John Franklin Matros earned his first complete-game win of the season, and Justin Weigle and Austin White each drove in three runs.
Jakahari Howell started the scoring in the final match of the three-game series, crossing the plate in the bottom of the first on an RBI-groundout from Weigle. Howell walked to lead off the half-inning before stealing second and reaching third on a single from Victor Draijer.
Southern Nazarene (8-37, 5-25 GAC) responded, however, with one run in the second inning on two hits. The Crimson Storm loaded the bases with just one out, but Matros forced a double play to escape the inning without surrendering the lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, Will Wallace led off with a double to left field, and Ryan Hammer singled on a bunt to push Wallace to third. White then scored Wallace on a sacrifice bunt to give Ouachita its second lead of the contest.
The next three innings featured zero runs and only two hits combined from both teams, including a four-pitch sixth inning from Matros. After a scoreless top of the eighth, Ouachita added six insurance runs to take an 8-1 lead heading into the final inning.
Eight consecutive batters reached base to start the half-inning, including a two-run double by Weigle. Southern Nazarene used three different pitchers in the inning, while Ouachita (15-30, 11-19 GAC) had 11 plate appearances. Matros then stayed on the mound to finish the game, securing his third win of the season in just 99 pitches.
Matros allowed four hits, two walks and one run in nine innings of work, while striking out six batters.
Howell and Wallace led the Tigers with two hits each in the victory, while Weigle and White combined for two hits and six runs batted in. In the three-game series, White totaled eight RBI, giving him 13 on the season. Weigle's three runs batted in on Sunday propelled him to a season-high 29.
With the win, Ouachita is currently tied for the eighth and final spot in the Great American Conference Tournament. The Tigers will finish the conference season with a three-game series against Henderson State next weekend. Ouachita's next contest, though, will be a non-conference match against Texas A&M at Texarkana on Tuesday at Rab Rodgers Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
