Arkansas Tech’s Nick Makris set the tone with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and the Wonder Boys routed the Ouachita Baptist Tigers 14-6 in non-conference baseball action at Tech Field in Russellville on Wednesday.
Makris’ blast over the right field wall (photographed) put the Wonder Boys in front 2-0. Two more Arkansas Tech runs in the second inning made it 4-0, but that was just the beginning.
The Wonder Boys sent 12 men to the plate during an eight-run third inning. Arkansas Tech scored all eight of its runs in the frame after two were out.
Staked to a 12-0 lead, the Wonder Boys (20-13) cruised to their fourth win over Ouachita Baptist (14-20) in as many meetings this season.
Makris finished 2-for-4 with four runs batted in and two runs scored. Tech’s Michael Rezin also went 2-for-4. He hit two solo home runs.
Matt Johnson (3-for-4, three runs scored), Colt Loehrs (3-for-5, home run, two RBIs, two runs scored) and Chris Reese (2-for-4, RBI, run scored) also had multiple hit games for the Wonder Boys.
In all, Arkansas Tech recorded 15 base hits — nine for extra bases — on Wednesday.
Starting pitcher Nate Wilder worked four innings for the Wonder Boys. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out six and walking none.
Arkansas Tech’s Dustin Thomas (1-1) pitched one scoreless inning of relief and was credited with the win. Nick Wilson pitched the final three and one-third innings to earn his second save of the season. Wilson allowed no runs on two hits.
Ouachita Baptist starting pitcher Travis King (1-3) took the loss after surrendering four runs on seven hits over two innings.
Landon Flax went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Brett Mazmanian hit a solo home run for the Tigers.
Arkansas Tech will return to conference play this weekend when it hosts Christian Brothers University for a three-game set at Tech Field.
The Wonder Boys are 7-2 in GSC action and tied for second place in the GSC West Division.
First pitch for a doubleheader between Arkansas Tech and CBU on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The two sides will play a single contest at 1 p.m. Sunday.
All three games during the Tech-CBU series will be broadcast in the Arkansas River Valley by radio station KCAB 980 AM.
Click here to access an Internet stream of the broadcasts.
]]>
