Arkansas Tech University took advantage of four-plus innings of shutout pitching by its bullpen to defeat Ouachita Baptist University 3-1 in non-conference play at Rab Rodgers Field in Arkadelphia on Tuesday.
The Wonder Boys (16-21) led 2-0 after four innings thanks to a run-scoring single by Lonnie Hawkins and a sacrifice fly by Collin O’Neil.
Victor Draijer put the Tigers (10-23) on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Arkansas Tech’s Geoffrey Birkemeier came on in relief of starter Isaac Hale with two outs in the fifth and induced a ground out that stranded the tying and go-ahead runs on base.
Birkemeier (4-1) lasted one inning before giving way to Ryan Vruggink, who struck out four OBU hitters over two and one-third innings of scoreless relief. Tech’s Jesse Harbin worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth inning for his eighth save of 2016.
The Wonder Boys picked up an insurance run on Blake King’s sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh.
Hawkins and Josh Watkins had two hits apiece for Arkansas Tech.
Ouachita’s Justin Weigle went 3-for-4.
Tiger starting pitcher Lance Cullum (0-2) took the loss.
The Wonder Boys will visit Southern Arkansas University for a three-game Great American Conference series in Magnolia on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9.