Arkansas Tech University began the Great American Conference portion of its 2016 baseball schedule by winning 2-of-3 games against Ouachita Baptist University at Tech Field in Russellville on Friday and Saturday.
The Wonder Boys (6-7 overall, 2-1 GAC) will host Lyon College for a 5 p.m. non-conference game at Tech Field on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Game One: OBU 10, Arkansas Tech 7
Jakahari Howell and Victor Draijer drove in two runs apiece to lead Ouachita Baptist to a 10-7 victory over Arkansas Tech in game one of the series on Friday night.
The Tigers erupted for five runs in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead for good at 8-4.
Ouachita starting pitcher Connor Eller (2-1) earned the win after allowing seven runs, five of which were earned, on five hits over six innings. Eller recorded nine strikeouts.
Brian Krikorian, Josh Reeves and Lance Cullum combined to work three scoreless innings of relief for the Tigers. Cullum was credited with his first save of 2016.
Zach Skelton (1-1) started on the mound for Tech and was charged with eight runs on eight hits in four and one-third innings.
Dylan McDearmon went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in for the Wonder Boys. Tech’s Josh Watkins also drove in two runs.
Game Two: Tech 13, OBU 2
Each member of the Arkansas Tech University starting line-up drove in and/or scored at least one run and the Wonder Boys steamrolled Ouachita Baptist 13-2 in game two of the series on Saturday afternoon.
Lead-off hitter Marcus Wilson set the tone by going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Mark Vaughn and Blake King also drove in two runs for the Wonder Boys. Tech’s Collin O’Neil, Kaleb Warden, Zach Klockowski, Parker O’Dell and McDearmon had two hits apiece. Watkins delivered an RBI single.
Isaac Hale (2-2) limited Ouachita Baptist to two runs on five hits. He struck out five Tigers in six innings of work. Ethan Taylor came out of the Arkansas Tech bullpen to get the final three outs.
OBU starter John Franklin Matros (0-3) surrendered 10 runs on 12 hits in three innings.
Game Three: Tech 5, OBU 4
King provided Arkansas Tech with what proved to be a critical insurance run in a 5-4 victory over Ouachita Baptist in the rubber match of the three-game series on Saturday.
King’s solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning increased the Wonder Boys’ lead to 5-3 heading to the seventh and final inning.
Ty Owens led off Ouachita Baptist’s final at-bat with a home run of his own to pull the Tigers within 5-4.
Arkansas Tech closer Jesse Harbin retired the next three hitters on a pair of ground outs and a fly out to preserve the one-run lead and collect his third save of the season.
Trent Armstrong (2-2) started on the mound for the Wonder Boys. He earned the win after allowing three runs on six hits in four and two-thirds innings. Ryan Vruggink got the final out in the top of the fifth inning and Lane Norwood pitched a scoreless sixth inning for Arkansas Tech.
Wilson scored two runs and O’Neil had two base hits in the win.
OBU starting pitcher Connor Reed (1-2) was charged with five runs, three of which were earned, on eight hits in five and one-third innings.
