ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita baseball team had its 2025 home opener spoiled by seventh-ranked Augustana on Thursday by a final score of 12-3.
The Tigers (1-3) went up 3-0 in the first three innings only to see the Vikings (1-0) rally back with crooked numbers in the fourth, sixth, and eighth innings for the lopsided victory.
Wesley Scott showed off his speed by stealing home in the bottom of the first inning when Augustana attempted a pickoff at first base. Scott led off the first with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a groundout.
Scott struck again in the third inning, this time with a leadoff homerun to left center. The Tigers two, three, and four hitters followed with three straight singles, which later led to the final Ouachita run crossing on a Viking double play.
The Tigers used 26 players in the game, including eight pitchers. Austin Bagnall drew the start and tossed three scoreless innings on just one hit in a no-decision.
Augie ended up with a 14-5 edge in hits. Kobe Eikmeier led the Vikings in the nine-hole with a 3-for-5 day at the plate. Augie starter Ethan Cole (1-0) earned the win with three runs allowed on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in the first five frames. Viking relievers Kai Taylor and Joel Van De Stroet combined to keep the Tigers scoreless and hitless in the final four innings.
Ouachita moves on to the second of a seven-game home stand on Friday, taking on Emporia State at 2 p.m.
