CONWAY, Ark. - The Hendrix College baseball team defeat the University of the Ozarks 7-6 on a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth by freshman
Josh Walker Tuesday night at home.
The Warriors (20-15) trailed 6-2 through six innings, but scored five runs over the final three frames to defeat the Eagles (10-18) for the third time in five tries this season.
Ozarks scored two runs in the second to take an early lead. Hendrix managed a run in the fourth when sophomore right fielder
Matthew Lillard singled, moved to third on a Walker base hit and scored on
Jake Wiegand's sacrifice fly.
The Eagles made the game 5-1 in the top of the fith with three runs, including a two-run single by frist baseman Grady Finley. In the bottom of the frame, freshman third baseman
Jorge Leon laid down a bunt single, then reached second on a
Drew Judson hit. Both runners moved up on a balk, then Leon scored on a base hit to right by freshman shortstop
Tanner Cooper.
Ozarks added another run in the sixth to go up 6-2. Hendrix started their comeback in the bottom of the seventh when Leon and Judson led off with back-to-back walks, then Hogan ripped a double down the right field line, scoring both runners. Hogan later scored from third on a sac fly off of Walker's bat.
In the eighth, sophomore
Justin Robison led off with a pinch hit single and moved to second on a sac bunt by freshman center fielder Marsahll Nichol. Leon plated Robison with a base hit up the middle after a 12-pitch at bat.
With one out in the ninth, Lillard drew a walk then scored the game-winning run on Walker's double to left field.
Freshman
Taylor Barker (2-0) earned the win for the Warriors. He threw two hits of scoreless relief while only giving up a hit. Jacob Barker (2-4) took the loss for the Eagles.
Hendrix Notes- Walker recorded his first three-hit game and drove in two runs.
- Lillard also went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs.
- Leon was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI.
- Judson recorded two hits for his 18th multiple-hit game of the season.
- Hogan's double extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
Ozarks Notes- Finley went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored.
- Shortstop Fielder Dufrene was 3-for-4.
- Third baseman Dakota Ebarb was 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run.
Up NextHendrix will play their final regular season series at home against Millsaps starting Saturday.
