ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Victor Draijer went 4-5 and drove in three runs to help lift the Ouachita Tigers over rival Henderson State in the series opener at Clyde Berry Field on Saturday. The Tigers used a three-run fifth inning to defeat the Reddies by a final of 7-3. Connor Eller picked up the win and Josh Reeves earned his second save of the year.

The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Jakahari Howell led the inning off with a base hit. He advanced to third on a hit-and-run single to right by Victor Draijer. Will Wallace hit a deep fly to center  to score Howell and give the Tigers the early lead.

After Connor Eller struck out the side in the bottom of the second, the Tigers increased their lead in the top of the third. Ty Owens doubled down the left field line with one out and moved to third on an infield hit by Howell. Draijer singled to left, scoring Howell, to give Ouachita the 2-0 lead. 

Heading into the fifth, the Tigers led HSU 2-1. Wallace and Justin Weigle drew walks with two outs to load the bases. Ryan Hammer earned a RBI with a bases-loaded walk to put Ouachita up 3-1. Preston Speers followed with a single to left, driving in two more runs and Ouachita entered the bottom half of the fifth leading 5-1.

Draijer drove in the Tigers sixth run in the top of the sixth inning. Owens reached base with his second double of the game and Draijer brought him home with a long single to left field.The Reddies would score one run in their half of the sixth to cut the Tigers lead to four.

Leading 6-3 in the top of the eighth, Ouachita scored another run with two outs. Howell doubled with two outs for his third hit of the game. Draijer followed with his third RBI single of the game, this one going to center field. Brian Krikorian entered the game in relief in the bottom half of the eighth after Eller gave up a leadoff single. The Reddies were doubled up on an amazing over-the-shoulder catch by Weigle, who threw turned and fired quickly to first to force out the base runner. 

Up 7-3 with two outs in the ninth, the Reddies put runners on second and third. Josh Reeves entered the game and retired the final HSU batter for the save. The win improved the Tigers to 12-19 in the GAC and keeps them in the hunt for the final spot in the GAC tournament. The two teams close out the series with a doubleheader tomorrow at Clyde Berry Field. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.