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Box Score 2 ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Tiger baseball team won in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon with walk-off hits against Harding in both game one and game two of the weekend series; The Tigers defeated the Bison 14-13 and 6-5 to take the three game series.
With the two wins on Sunday afternoon Ouachita (7-15, 4-7 GAC) picked up their first Great American Conference series victory. Harding (6-14, 1-10) on the other hand was not as fortunate as they saw late inning leads fall in the final moments of each game.
It was the first time all season the Tigers offense had produced 10 or more runs in a game. This was also the Tigers first win of the season when allowing an opponent 10 or more runs in a contest. In the second game of the contest, the Tigers picked up just their second victory of the season after trailing in the sixth inning or later.
Louis Steen hit an rbi single down the left field line to score Tee Collier from third base, to clinch the 14-13 win. In game number two, it was Collier's turn to be the hero as he hit a double to right field to score
Ty Owens from second base.
GAME ONE: Ouachita 14, Harding 13
Harding got the scoring started in the first inning with a Zach Beasley rbi double to center field. The Tigers were quick to tie up the contest though in the bottom of the inning, thanks to an
Austin White (Arkadelphia, Ark.) single down the right field line.
The third inning has been the most crucial for the Ouachita offense in every game this season. Coming into Sunday afternoon's contest the Tigers offense had outscored opponents 17-11 in the third inning. Sunday was no different as the Tigers outscored the Bison 8-0 in the third inning.
Kyle Alexander hit a two-run home run to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead early in the inning. Four consecutive hits later Ouachita lead 6-1 with only one out in the inning. The Tigers then tacked on a trio of runs with two-outs in the inning to take a 9-1 lead into the fourth inning.
Owens and
Preston Speers each homered to tack on insurance runs for the Tigers. Up 12-2 in the top of the seventh inning starter J. F. Matros (Arkadelphia, Ark.) was costing through the game until he ran into a little bit of trouble.
The Tigers relieved their starting pitcher and brought in Noah Fowler to try and get out of the jam. Fowler gave up a grand slam to Brenden Perrett and the Bison were back within striking distance down 12-7.
Ouachita scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to bring the lead back to six runs for the Tigers. The bullpen was not able to hold the lead though as the Bison scored six runs in the final two innings to tie the game at 13.
Collier doubled down the right field line to begin the bottom half of the ninth inning, moments later Steen singled to bring in the game winning run.
Steen was the top hitter for game one with a 4-for-5 day at the plate and 3-RBI's in the game. Kaden Tollett picked up his second victory of the season.
GAME TWO: Ouachita 6, Harding 5
The second game of the series was not the same slugfest that the first game saw. Game number two of the afternoon appeared to be more of a pitchers dual between the games starters.
After a hiccup in the second inning by Tyler Duck that allowed Harding to score three runs, Duck settled down to shut down the Bison's offense.
Harding starter Tanner Smith was dealing on the mound as he did not allow a hit in the opening three innings of work. The Tigers eventually got to the starter though as they scored four runs between innings five and six.
Harding took a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth inning and appeared to be in control of the final inning of play.
Alexander reached base after an error by the second basemen.
Chandler Blake came into run for Alexander and eventually tied the game up after an Owens single to right field.
Collier doubled down the line on a 1-2 count to give the Tigers the series victory. Collier was the offensive player of the game, he went 2-for-3 at the plate with 3-RBI's in the contest.
Brandon Matros (Arkadelphia, Ark.) picked up the victory on the mound after a relief inning of work.
The conclusion of the three game series will take place on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m.