Clarksville, Ark.-Andres Acosta's bases loaded walk pushed across the game-winning run in the tenth inning and gave the Eagles a 7-6 win over Hendrix College Wednesday.
With one out, Acosta was sent in to pinch hit against Hendrix ace Thomas Weber. Acosta worked a full count and then patiently waited on a ball to help Ozarks (3-6) clinch a non-conference win over its in-state rival. In the bottom of the tenth, Andrew Beck started the rally with a leadoff double. Dean Igert then reached on a fielder's choice, and Jordan Jones followed with a sacrifice bunt to put two runners in scoring position. John Singler was intentionally walked to load the bases for Acosta, who provided the late inning heroics. Ozarks scored three runs in the first inning on four hits. Dean Igert, Caleb Hemphill and Sam Shook all had RBI in the frame. The Eagles then built a 6-2 lead after four, but Hendrix (3-2) mounted a comeback with runs in the fifth, sixth and the eighth innings.
Alex Rodriguez (2-1) received the win in relief after tossing the final three innings. Will Tucker went five innings as the starter for Ozarks.
Beck finished 4-for-6 with two runs. Igert was 3-for-5 with an RBI and Taylor Parker, Keaton Ramsey, Shook and Hemphill all had two hits. In all, Ozarks pounded out 16 hits.
Ozarks will travel to Brownwood, Texas, to face Howard Payne University for a three-game series February 28-March 1.
