Ouachita Tigers Baseball Split Doubleheader with Northwestern Oklahoma

Courtesy Ouachita Baptist University Athletics Department

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- A split was the result of Saturday’s baseball games from Rab Rodgers Field in Arkadelphia between the visiting Rangers of Northwestern Oklahoma and the Tigers of Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers won the first game by a score of 7-6 before falling in the rubber match by a score of 3-0.

The Tigers recorded their first run of the afternoon early, scoring in the first inning when Will Wallace recorded an RBI with the bases loaded. Duncan Collins advanced from third to score, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead.

Northwestern answered with two runs in the top of the second, before the Tigers responded with runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Tigers scored their first run due to an error by the Rangers’ pitcher, followed by a sacrifice fly from Duncan Collins that scored Luis de Jesus from third base, making their lead 3-2. 

Northwestern retook the lead in the sixth inning with three more runs, but Chris Tavares answered and retied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a home run, giving him a three game streak in which he has recorded a home run. He knocked in Duncan Collins, who singled to left field earlier in the inning and got on base. 

Camilo Baldelomar recorded the first home run of the series for Northwestern, recording a home run of his own in the top of the eighth and giving his team a 6-5 lead.

The Tigers again answered though, as Landon Flax brought home Parker Norris on a double to right field and tied the game at six.

Neither team was able to score in the ninth, sending the game to extra innings. The Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the eleventh, leading to a walk-off walk that was taken by Sean Noland, sealing a 7-6 win.

Davis Ward put in 11 innings of work, giving up six runs, but only one of them was earned. He recorded eight strikeouts during the game. Nathaneal Hancock was credited with the loss for Northwestern, throwing 3.2 innings and giving up five hits and two runs, one of which was earned.

The second game of the afternoon found Northwestern putting up two runs in the second inning due to a 2 RBI single from Colten Dickerman. 

They then stretched their lead to three runs with another run in the fourth, when Dickerman recorded another RBI on a single to left field. 

The Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, leaving all three on bags as the third out was made. Neither team was able to score from that point on, giving the Rangers a 3-0 win.

The Tigers return to action on March 22, when they travel to Weatherford, Oklahoma to take on Southwestern Oklahoma in a conference series. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director