Late Lead Slips Away as USAO Falls to Ottawa in 13 Innings

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Tuesday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (7-9, 4-2 SAC) had a late lead slip away and suffered a 10-7 loss in 13 innings against Ottawa University (17-3, 9-2 SAC).

The Drovers jumped out to a 7-0 lead but allowed the Braves to score 10 unanswered runs from the sixth inning on.

USAO scored once in the bottom of the first inning, followed by a five-run rally in the third and their final run in the fourth.

Trailing 7-0 in the top of the sixth, Ottawa then trimmed their deficit to three with a four-run outburst. The Braves scored once in the seventh, before tying the game at 7-7 with a two-run eighth inning.

The two bullpens then hurled four scoreless innings, prior to Ottawa striking for a trio of runs in the top of the 13^th inning. USAO was able to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the 13^th but were unable to overcome their deficit.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced eight hits and reached on nine walks, while the Braves tallied 13 hits and drew five walks. Both teams were committed two fielding errors.

Jake Finkelstein got the start on the mound for USAO and went 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three batters. Yohandel Santana struck out three batters in a scoreless fifth inning.

Jake Wellington and Julian Pokorny split the sixth inning, before Layton Bryan took over for the eighth.

Luke Naranjo pitched for 0.1 innings before handing the ball to Tristan Perry for 1.2 scoreless frames.

Jaxon McDonald hurled two scoreless innings and struck out one batter. Chris Ottinger pitched the final two innings and fanned three batters.

USAO offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Solomon Harwood and Angel Tiscareno. Harwood concluded 2-6 with a double, a walk, and three runs batted in, while Tiscareno went 2-5 with a pair of runs scored.

Sammy Chapman launched his first home run of the season as he finished 1-5 with three runs batted in. Connor Martin, Luke Fox, and Blake King each singled in the loss.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now return to action this weekend (March 6-7) as they host a three-game series against Central Christian College. Friday's double header is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM CT, followed by a noon start time for Saturday's series finale.

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