The University baseball team extended its winning streak to five with a doubleheader sweep over the University of the Ozarks on Friday evening. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 4-0 and 3-2 at Irwin Field.
The Eagles threatened early by loading the bases in the top of the first, but an infield fly and a ground out ended the inning.
Patriot Cody Jones of Longview takes a swing Friday evening during a game played against the University of the Ozarks. The Patriots prevailed. Photo by Jessica Sibbing.
The Patriots, however, managed to put together a run in the bottom of the inning. Corey Henderson was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and stole second. Cody Jones singled with one out, allowing Henderson to score.
Aaron McCain walked to lead off the second inning and scored on a squeeze bunt by TJ Martin to put the Patriots up 2-0.
Jones picked up another RBI in the fifth inning. He singled to left to score Henderson, and later scored the Patriots’ final run on a sacrifice fly by McCain.
Chase Willard continued his dominance on the mound and earned his sixth win of the season. Willard pitched six innings, allowed six hits and struck out five.
Neither team scored in game two until the bottom of the sixth when Austin Newell doubled to score Jake Ashley.
The Eagles tied the game in the top of the seventh on a lead-off home run by Corey Briggs.
The Patriots retook the lead in the eight. Jordan Vierra hit a one-out pinch-hit home run. Keenan Duke scored on the play as well.
Ozarks cut the Patriots’ lead to one in the top of the ninth on an unearned run, but failed to tie the game before the third out.
Matt Schimpf picked up the win for the Patriots. Schimpf pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit.
Starter Matt Sparks pitched seven solid innings, allowing one run on five hits and five strikeouts.
Rain over the weekend forced officials to cancel game three of the series.
The sweep improves the Patriots to 16-7 on the season, 5-0 in American Southwest Conference play.
They are scheduled to play The University of Texas at Dallas at 6 p.m. Friday, and a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday against the Comets.
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