Pioneers Split Friday Doubleheader with College of the Ozarks

PLAINVIEW --- The Wayland Baptist Pioneers split a home doubleheader with College of the Ozarks on Friday in Plainview, rallying for a high-scoring victory in game one before dropping a tightly contested nightcap.
 
Game 1: Wayland Baptist 9, College of the Ozarks 7

Wayland Baptist used a huge fifth inning to power past College of the Ozarks 9–7 in the opening game of the doubleheader at Wilder Field.
The Pioneers collected 14 hits in the victory and erased an early deficit with a seven-run explosion in the fifth inning.

College of the Ozarks struck first with a run in the third inning before Wayland Baptist answered in the bottom of the fourth. Ben Kasparie drove in a run with a single and Raphael Beltre followed with another RBI hit to give the Pioneers a 2–1 lead.

The game turned decisively in the fifth. Wayland Baptist sent 12 hitters to the plate and scored seven runs on six hits, taking advantage of defensive miscues by the visitors.

Arcadio Martinez sparked the inning with a two-run double and finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Kasparie added another RBI single during the rally, while Beltre contributed an RBI hit as the Pioneers built a commanding 9–2 lead.

College of the Ozarks attempted a late comeback with five runs in the sixth, but the Wayland bullpen closed the door.

Garrett Moseley secured the final three outs to earn the save, while Antonio Mejia picked up the win after throwing 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and six runs while striking out three.

Several Pioneers led the offensive surge:

• Arcadio Martinez: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, double
• Raphael Beltre: 3-for-3, 2 RBI
• Ben Kasparie: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, stolen base
• Adonis Bernal: 2-for-3
• Christian Toledo: 2-for-3, RBI
• Sebastian Bravo: 1-for-3, RBI

 
Game 2: College of the Ozarks 3, Wayland Baptist 1

The Pioneers were unable to carry their offensive momentum into the second game, falling 3–1 as College of the Ozarks earned the split.

Wayland Baptist struck first in the second inning when Sebastian Bravo delivered an RBI single that scored Kanade Honda, giving the Pioneers a 1–0 lead.

The visitors answered in the fourth inning with a three-run frame, highlighted by a two-run home run from Aaron Fisher, which proved to be the difference.

Despite several opportunities, the Pioneers could not generate another scoring push against Ozarks starter Cameron Jennings, who threw a complete-game three-hitter while striking out seven.

Wayland Baptist recorded just three hits in the contest:

• Sebastian Bravo: 1-for-3, RBI
• Christian Toledo: 1-for-3
• Adonis Bernal: 1-for-3

On the mound, Branin Seibert went the distance for the Pioneers, allowing five hits and three runs over seven innings while striking out eight.
 
Up Next

The Pioneers will wrap up this three-game homestand against College of the Ozarks with a nine-inning game on Saturday, March 7^th, at 1:00 PM at Wilder Field.