Tyler, Texas-The freshmen pitching trio of Luke Dyer, Ely Gordon and Hunter Coleman pushed Ozarks to a Saturday double-header sweep and a series win over nationally-ranked Texas-Tyler in American Southwest Conference play.
The three Texas natives were impressive against No. 20 Texas-Tyler throwing a combined 13.1 shutout innings Saturday. In game one, Dyer threw a complete game and did not issue a walk, to give Ozarks (12-19, 5-13 ASC) a 11-2 win. Ozarks provided Dyer with steady offensive production, scoring in the first, second, third and fifth innings as the Eagles led 10-0 before the Patriots (20-12, 9-6 ASC) scored in the bottom of the fifth. With a 2-0 lead, Justin Crider recorded his second straight single in as many at-bats to drive in two runs in the second frame. Leading 5-0, Dakota Ebarb ripped a single to left field to drive in two more. With the Eagles leading 7-0, Dyer kept the Patriots' offense shutout after four complete innings. Ozarks added three runs in the fifth behind a Zac Jones two-run double and a Texas-Tyler error. Texas-Tyler eventually scored in the fifth, but still trailed 10-1.
In seven innings of work, Dyer (2-1) was charged with two earned runs. He struck out two.
Ebarb went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Crider finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Jones went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
In game two, Gordon (4-4) started and handcuffed the Patriots to a single run through three complete innings to receive the win and lift Ozarks to a 7-4 victory. Ozarks gave Gordon a 5-1 lead behind a four-run third inning. Ebarb delivered an RBI single to start the scoring and Crider followed with a two-run triple to make it 4-1. Jones then ripped a double down the right field line to score another. Ozarks added two insurance runs in the seventh, one coming from another RBI credited to Jones. Grady Finley had the other in the frame. After Jordan Allred was inserted to face one batter, Hunter Coleman took over and tossed five and one-third innings to notch a save. Coleman did not allow a single run.
Ozarks totaled ten hits in the win and limited Texas-Tyler to six. Jones finished 3-for-4 with three RBI. Ebarb went 3-for-5 with one RBI.
Ozarks will host Williams Baptist College April 19 in a double-header.
