FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
SAUGET, ILL. – No. 4 ranked Ouachita Baptist edged No. 2 ranked Sonoma State to advance to Saturday’s national championship game in the “if necessary” game of the NCAA Division II Championships Friday afternoon at GCS Ballpark.
The Tigers (51-15) will face top-ranked Mount Olive tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. in a one-game, winner take all contest. Mount Olive earned a 5-3 victory over Central Missouri Thursday afternoon to secure its spot in the title game.
“It’s just a great, gutty win by our team today,” said Ouachita Baptist head coach Scott Norwood. “We made the most of our opportunities and I thought Chase did a great job of getting us deep into the game. You have to tip your hat to Sonoma State. They are a class act and we are glad to be able to beat them twice.”
Chase Baran (10-3) helped Ouachita Baptist to the win, allowing just three hits in six and two-thirds innings, while also striking out six in picking up the win. Alex Smith recorded his third save of the year, retiring two of three batters faced in one inning.
The Tigers plated single runs in the first and fifth innings, while the Seawolves scored their lone run of the game on a solo homer to right field by Travis Babin in the top of the ninth.
Sonoma State’s Matt Means (10-2) took the loss on the hill for the Seawolves despite striking out nine. He scattered five hits.
Destan Makonnen and Justin Pennell each tallied two hits to lead the Tigers offense.
Sonoma State ends its season at 52-15.
