Chickasha, Okla.- The Tiger baseball team hit the road for the 3rd consecutive weekend to take on the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma Drovers in hopes of their first conference series win of the season.
In game 1 the Tiger offense exploded for 14 runs largely thanks to a huge 8 run 3rd inning that featured RBI hits from Gary Ford and Ian Szczuroski, a 3 run homer from Mason Bowden, and a 2 run homer from Kurt Ippolito. The Tigers were held scoreless in the 4th before adding 5 more runs in the final 3 innings on RBI walks from Braden Young and Noel Aquino, a couple more RBIs from Ford and Bowden, and a Carson Lupton single. Justin Evasovic had another great outing for the Tigers going 5 innings and allowing just 2 runs. The bullpen allowed just 1 run in the final 2 innings as the Tigers cruised to a 14-3 win in the series opener.
Game 2 was a different story from the first game as only 3 runs would be scored in the game, all by the Drovers. Nick Julian cruised for the Tigers for 5 innings while striking out 9 before allowing an RBI single and a 2 RBI single in the 6th, still a very solid outing nonetheless as he had only allowed 2 base runners prior to the 6th inning. The Tiger offense was just unfortunately unable to provide run support for Julian and would be shutout 3-0 on 3 hits.
Game 3 served as the 9 inning rubber match between these two teams for the 2nd consecutive season. The Tigers turned to Samir Gonzalez for the series finale like they had been doing and he threw very well, going 6 innings and giving up just 1 run in the 2nd inning. The Tigers first got on board in the 2nd on an error and a Carson Lupton RBI single and then added 2 more in the 4th thanks to a hit by pitch and a walk with the bases loaded. The Tigers maintained a 4-1 lead into the 9th inning where Braedon Ulrich hit a 2 run shot to give the Tigers more run support. Senior pitcher Nick Clayson threw 2 scoreless innings in the 7th and 8th innings and had initially gone out for the 9th but allowed a couple base runners, prompting coach Pavlovich to turn to Kurt Ippolitpo to close the game. The Drovers brought 1 run across but that would be all as the Tigers won the game and the series by a score of 6-2, marking the first series win over the Drovers in program history.
The Tigers now sit at 9-12 (4-5) on the season and will take their momentum into a test against #23 Wayland Baptist University at home this upcoming weekend.
