FROM PRESS RELEASE
ARKADELPHIA – The second-ranked Ouachita Baptist split Tuesday afternoon a series with Southeastern Oklahoma State, winning the opener 3-1, but falling in the second contest, 5-3, at Rab Rodgers Field.
In the first game, the Tigers (22-3) got a pair of RBIs by Jim Streicher as he went 1-for-2 with a solo homer. Streicher, who was named the Gulf South Conference West Division Player of the Week earlier in the day, got the offense going in the first inning with a solo home run. Meanwhile, Chandler Boyce collected two hits as Ouachita Baptist scored three runs on five hits.
Alex Smith (2-0) got the win, pitching seven innings, giving up one run on five hits.
Kolby Williams (0-1) took the loss for the Savage Storm (10-12) as he worked six innings, gave up three runs on five hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
In the second game, Zach Wilbanks started on the mound for Ouachita Baptist and he surrendered three runs (two earned) on four hits with a walk and didn’t figure in the decision. Jerry Helferich (3-1) took the loss, giving up two runs in 2 1/3 innings. Patrick Lemmond worked 1 2/3 innings of relief.
The Tigers stormed out to a 1-0 lead in the first, but Southeastern Oklahoma State grabbed a 2-1 lead in the third, but that was short lived as Ouachita Baptist answered by plating a pair of runs on two hits, but stranded the bases loaded.
Blake Lockwood, who was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, led off the frame with a single through the left side. Lockwood stole second and third and scored on a passed ball. Boyce walked and moved to second on a base hit by Streicher. Justin Pennell flied out to center, advancing Boyce to third on the sacrifice.
With one away, Rudy Jovanovski fouled out to the first baseman and Boyce scored by tagging up at third to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead.
Southeastern Oklahoma State grabbed a pair of runs off Helferich in the top of the second and turned two double plays during the final two innings to get the win.
Josh Rose started for the Savage Storm as he pitched 2 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on three hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Brady Huckabee (2-1) got the victory by working 4 1/3 innings of relief, shutting down the Tigers lineup by allowing just two hits and fanning five.
Ouachita Baptist, which saw its 10-game winning streak snapped, travel to open Gulf South Conference West Division play 12:00 p.m., Saturday, March 15 at Delta State in Cleveland, Miss. Those games, because of prior basketball commitments, will NOT be on the air.
Here at the CBB we are always looking for game shots. We would like to thank Dr. Wesley Kluck for allowing us to his pictures. Dr. Kluck is the University Physician at Ouachita Baptist.
