Box Score ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Baptist baseball team lost their home opener 2-1 on Thursday afternoon to Northwest Missouri State at Rab Rodgers Field.

For the second consecutive season, the Tigers have lost back-to-back home openers. Ouachita has not won a home opener since the 2016 season when they defeated the University of Arkansas Fort Smith 6-5.  

The opening innings of the game were a scoreless affair between Ouachita (2-3) and Northwest Missouri State (1-4). Jakahari Howell (Arkadelphia, Ark.) stood on second base with two outs in the bottom of the third inning when Victor Draijer (Netherlands) stepped to the plate.

Draijer hit a routine ground ball to Mondesi Gutierrez but Gutierrez overthrew the first basemen allowing Howell to score the opening run of the game.
The Bearcats responded in the top half of the fourth inning with a run of their own to tie the game up at 1-1.

JF Matros (Arkadelphia, Ark.) got two quick outs in the top of the fifth inning and looked to be cruising before the Bearcats started a two-out rally. Gutierrez walked to keep the inning alive and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Landon Figg then singled to left to give Northwestern a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning. Preston Speers (McKinney, Texas) drew the two-out walk to keep the inning alive, Austin White (Arkadelphia, Ark.) got plunked in the next at bat to put runners on first and second. Tyler Riebock (Rockwall, Texas) walked to load the bases, Logan Huneycutt flied out to end the inning and the threat for the Tigers.

Ouachita had another great opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ty Owens (El Dorado, Ark.) drew a one-out walk and then advanced to third after Howell singled to left field. Draijer hit a fly ball into shallow right field. Owens tagged up and raced home, Owens appeared to be safe but the home plate umpire called him out. Head coach Kyle Hope came out to argue the call but play stood.

The Tigers still trailed 2-1 going into the bottom half of the ninth. Riebock drew the leadoff walk to begin the inning; Huneycutt then sacrificed Riebock to second. Cade McBride (Prosper, Texas) came in to pitch hit and was hit by the first pitch he saw. Owens reached on a fielder's choice to bring up Howell with two outs in the inning.

 Howell drew a full count walk to load up the bases and kept the game alive. Draijer ripped a ball down the left field line but Kevin Handzlik made an amazing catch down the foul line as he flipped over the bullpen fence and held onto the ball for the final out.

Joseph Hietpas picked up his first win of the season going 6.1 innings, allowing 1 run off 2 hits. Trevor Dudar collected his first save of the season for the Bearcats. Matros was tabbed with the loss after going 6 full innings, allowing just 2 runs off 4 hits.

Ouachita will be back in action tomorrow afternoon against Delta State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Rab Rodgers Field.